BoQki C 8 H Lg 

Copyrights? 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



HISTORY 

of the 

Ibniist iqjtaropal (Cljurrtf 

in 

Cumberland^ Maryland 
From 1866 to 1920 



jMi/^uhlmann 

MEMBER OF THE 
BALTIMORE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 
M. E. CHURCH SOUTH 



Copyright, 1920, 
By 

John H. Kuh^mann 



JAN 13 1921 

©CI.A604959 



DEDICATED 
to 

The Memory of My Wife, 
MARY L. KUHLMANN, 
Who Sojourned with Me in the Itinerancy, 
From. 1899 to 1916. 



PREFACE. 



This little book is sent forth as a record of the labors 
and experiences of those engaged in planting the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Cumberland, 
Md. And for the purpose of keeping green in memory 
their faith, sacrifices and devotion to the Master's 
cause, which elements are equally as well demonstrated 
to be essential in the furtherance of the kingdom of 
Christ. Therefore the hope that others may be en- 
couraged to continue to build on the same sure foun- 
dation. 

The wisdom of the church in entering this field of 
labor is amply demonstrated by the Lord of the harvest 
bountifully crowning her labors in both temporal and 
spiritual things. 

And that she may keep herself unspotted from the 
world and with a longing desire for the salvation of 
precious souls for whom Jesus bled and died is the 
cherished hope of the writer. 

HOW THE CITY CAME BY THE NAME OF 
CUMBERLAND. 

In 1748 Thomas Lee, president of the Virginia 
Council, in forming the Ohio Company, associated with 
himself twelve other men, among whom were Gov- 
ernor Robert Dinwiddie, Lawrence and Augustine 
Washington, brothers of George Washington, and 
John Hamburg, a wealthy merchant of London. 

And in March, 1749, the company obtained a royal 
grant for 5,000 acres of land between the Kanawha 
and the Monongahela Rivers and on the south side of 



i 



II 



PREFACE 



the Ohio, with the privilege of taking a portion of it 
on the north side of the Ohio River if they desired 
to do so. 

Christopher Gist, who lived near the Yadkin River 
and boundary line between Virginia and North Caro- 
lina, was employed by the company as its agent. And 
in the fall of the same year, on his mission, he went 
up the Potomac River to the mouth of Will's Creek, 
and thence to and down the Ohio River selecting and 
mapping out the company's boundary. 

And owing to the increase in the fur trade with the 
Indians, in 1750 the company built a small trading 
post or storehouse at the mouth and on the west side 
of Will's Creek, where that stream empties into the 
Potomac River, which afterward became a supply sta- 
tion, a fort, a shelter and resting place for Colonels 
George Washington, Fry, and others. 

Pushing his way westward, Christopher Gist, in 
1753, established a settlement of eleven families at 
the foot of Laurel Hill, and began a fort at the forks 
on the Ohio River. 

The French regarded this as an encroachment on 
their desired territory, and at once began active meas- 
ures, by arms, to secure the Ohio Valley, the news of 
which soon reached the ears of Gov. Dinwiddie, who, 
on the 12th of October, 1753, commissioned George 
Washington, then in his twenty-second year, a special 
envoy to the head waters of the Allegheny, to deliver 
a message to Gen. St. Pierre, the French commander. 

The next day he started on his journey, and ar- 
rived at Will's Creek November the 14th. Here he 
secured the service of Christopher Gist as guide, John 
Davidson as Indian interpreter, Captain Jacob Van 
Braam as French interpreter, together with Curram, 



PREFACE 



in 



McQuire, Steward and Jenkins, to accompany him, 
and they arrived at the French headquarters on the 
fourth of December, 1753. 

He was courteously received by Legardeur de St. 
Pierre, who promised to forward his message to the 
Governor General of Canada, but said in the meantime 
he would hold his position to the best of his ability 
and intended to eject every Englishman from the Ohio 
Valley. 

Owing to the reply, Washington hurried back to 
Williamsburg and made a complete report to Governor 
Dinwiddie on January 6, 1754. In the meantime the 
Ohio Company, realizing their danger, appealed to 
the Governor for protection ; hence, on hearing Wash- 
ington's report, Governor Dinwiddie commissioned 
him major and directed him to raise an army and re- 
turn to the scene of contention, which he did immedi- 
ately, arriving at Will's Creek April 20, and then pro- 
ceeded to the Ohio River. 

The first engagement, or battle, between the French 
and the English occurred at daybreak on the 28th of 
May, 1754, in which Major Washington was success- 
ful; and immediately reported the result to his su- 
perior, Colonel Joshua Fry, who was sick as Will's 
Creek, and in four days thereafter died. 

This left an important place in a crucial moment 
to be filled. Major George Washington was chosen 
and commissioned lieutenant-colonel and placed in 
chief command of the army on the 4th of June, 1754. 

The elevated site once occupied by the Shawanese's 
town, and called by the Indians "Cai-uc-tu-cuc," near 
the mouth and on the west side of Will's Creek, and 
now occupied by the stone structure known as Em- 
manuel Episcopal Church, near the center of the city, 



IV 



PREFACE 



is the site where the first storehouse was built in 
1750. Having a commanding view of both the Po- 
tomac River and the Narrows through which Will's 
Creek flows, it was recognized as a strategic point by 
Colonel James Innes and Captain Mackaye, who built 
a fort there in 1754 and named it Fort Mount Pleasant. 

On hearing of the unsettled affairs in America, the 
King of England, through the influence of the Duke 
of Cumberland, commissioned Major General Brad- 
dock General-in-Chief of his Majesty's forces in North 
America on the 25th of November, 1754, who started 
immediately and arrived at Alexandria, Va., February 
20, 1755, and reached Fort Mount Pleasant on the 
19th of May. At his request, and in honor of the Duke 
of Cumberland, Governor Dinwiddie changed its name 
from Fort Mount Pleasant to Fort Cumberland. 

In order that my readers may have a succinct ac- 
count of the origin and names of the place of our his- 
tory, I here record the dates and names left on record 
by Robert Shriver, long president of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Cumberland, Md., who, being well 
acquainted with the history and the progress of the 
community, says : 

"In early days (when the pale-faced man met his 
more ruddy brother here, rich in land, plumage and 
fur), the Indians had a settlement here which they 
called 'Caiuctucuc,' which the white traders in 1728 
called 'Will's Creek.' And in 1750, both Indians and 
traders called it 'the New Storehouse,' while in 1752 
the Ohio Company called it 'Charlottsburg.' And in 
* 1754 Colonel James Innes named it 'Fort Mount 
Pleasant.' Then in 1755 General Braddock called it 
'Fort Cumberland.' In 1785 the inhabitants called it 
Washington, town, and in 1786 Thomas Beall secured 



PREFACE 



v 



an act by the General Assembly of the State of Mary- 
land, Chapter 27, by which it became known as 'Cum- 
berland.' " 

These were the names or styles under which the 
present city of Cumberland passed from an Indian 
village and a single log house erected by the white 
traders near the mouth of Will's Creek, and used as 
a storehouse in trading with the Indians, from about 
the year 1728 to about thirty-five houses in 1786, when 
the village was erected into a "town" known, and has 
continued to be known, as Cumberland. 

Cumberland was then within the bounds of Washing- 
ton County, but two years later, by an act of the 
General Assembly, Chapter 27, in 1786, all that part 
of the State of Maryland west of Sideling Hill Creek 
was cut off from Washington County and erected into 
a new county to be called "Allegany." 

WHEN AND BY WHOM METHODISM WAS 
PLANTED IN THIS REGION. 

History records the footprints of Methodism among 
these rugged hills as early as 1782, when Bishop As- 
bury, Revs. John Haygerly and Richard Owens plant- 
ed the Gospel seed here. They were succeeded by 
Benj. Roberts, 1873; John J. Jacob, in 1785; they es- 
tablished several appointments, including Cumberland, 
and formed the Allegany Circuit. John Compher 
was appointed preacher in charge of it in 1788, about 
which time its name was changed from Allegany to 
Old Town Circuit. 

The records show the Methodist Episcopal Church 
secured a deed to a lot on the west side of Will's Creek 
and on the corner of Fayett and Smallwood Streets 



VI 



PREFACE 



in 1799. And it is supposed they built on it in 1800, 
the structure was a small frame building, 25 by 35 
feet, and rebuilt in 1816. 

Cumberland became a station in 1729 and Rev. 
Charles B. Young was appointed preacher in charge. 
The church, having desired to change its location to 
North Centre Street, did so, and built on its present 
site that year. They enlarged it in 1837, rebuilt in 
1848, and rebuilt the second time in 1870. 

McKendree (African) M. E. Church was built in 
1851-2. 

Kingsley M. E. Church was built in 1870 and rebuilt 
of brick in 1876. 

Grace M. E. Church was organized in the Fare 
Ground Exhibit Building on Virginia Avenue and built 
the present church in 1894. 

The Methodist Protestant Church organized and 
built on Bedford Street, Cumberland, Md., in 1836, 
and rebuilt in 1849. In 1899 they sold the church and 
moved west on Bedford Street, and erected a more 
commodious building. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, began 
work in Cumberland in 1866. Dedicated Trinity 
Church, on South Centre and Union Streets, in 1872. 
Sold it in 1876, reopened work in St. John's Luthern 
Church on Arch and Fourth Streets in 1897. Built 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, on Grand 
Avenue, in 1898. Built Agur Chapel Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, South, on Humbird Street, in 1901. 
Built Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
Ridgeley, W. Va., in 1902. Built Central Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, on South George Street, 
Cumberland, Md., in 1906. Rebuilt Calvary Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., in 



PREFACE 



VII 



1915. Built the auditorium to Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, on Grand Avenue, Cumber- 
land, Md., in 1915. Rebuilt Calvary Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., the second 
time in 1918. Added to and changed the name of 
Agur Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, South, on 
Humbird Street, Cumberland, Md., to Emmanuel 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1918. 



/ 



CHAPTER I. 



Trinity. 

History of Southern Methodism in Cumberland, Md. 

Rev. Williamson Harris, a local preacher of one 
of the North Carolina Annual Conferences, Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, realizing more and more a 
yearning for the salvation of precious and immortal 
souls for whom Jesus bled and died, became conscious 
of the impending duty resting upon him to enter the 
active ministry. 

And, thinking the old adage might be true, "A 
prophet is not without honor save in his own country," 
and having lost nearly all of his property during the 
Civil War of 1861-5, and owing to the depleted con- 
dition of the South, he decided to move into another 
locality. Turning his face northward, he came to 
Baltimore, Md., and not finding a favorable opening 
there, he concluded to go west. 

Accordingly, about the middle of April, 1866, he, his 
wife and little daughter, started on their western trip. 
However, before going far, the child became ill, and 
although their straightened circumstances would hardly 
admit of a break in their journey, nevertheless, Mr. 
Harris and his wife felt that it would be unnatural 
for them to proceed, and hence concluded to stop at 
the first place they could get medical aid. And, on 
being fully assured that they could secure the neces- 
sary medical attention for the child at Cumberland, 
Md., then a iittlfc town of about 1,500 inhabitants 

1 



2 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 

nestled among the foothills of the Alleghany Moun- 
tains, they decided to stop there. 

Owing to the critical condition of the child, the way 
seemed long and the journey tedious. However, very 
soon after arriving in Cumberland, they were com- 
fortably domiciled and a competent physician called. 
Although their means were limited and they were 
strangers in a strange land, without friends and with- 
out acquaintance, nevertheless they soon found kind- 
hearted and sympathizing friends who rendered them 
all necessary assistance. 

We are told these friends by degrees drew from 
Mr. Harris his past history and when they learned 
that he lost nearly all his property during the war of 
1861-5, and now desired to find a new home where he 
could labor in his sacred calling, they were touched 
with the keenest sympathy, for the same merciless 
hand had torn them, from their church and left them 
without a shepherd. They felt that it was the hand of 
Providence that had led him thither, consequently 
they asked him to remain a while and preach for them, 
which he consented to do as soon as his child suf- 
ficiently recovered. 

The journal kept by Hon. W. M. Price shows that 
he preached to a small audience in the Market- 
house Hall about the first of May, 1868. The jour- 
nal goes on to say that one evening in the month 
of May John Humbird, Horace Resley, Asabel 
WiHison, W. M. Price, John Longabaugh. John E. 
Buck, and Levi Wickard met in the office of \Y. M, 
Price, Esq. These formed or constituted a nucleus. 
There and then they discussed the feasability of organ- 
izing a new church, and during the discussion they 
decided upon the formation of Trinity Methodirt 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



3 



Episcopal Church, South, Cumberland, Md., after 
which they requested Rev. Williamson Harris to con- 
tinue preaching for them, which he gladly consented 
to do. 

On the first Sunday of June, 1868, they organized 
a Sunday school in the Market-house Hall, with W. M. 
Price superintendent and H. H. Beall assistant. And 
on the 23rd of August, 1868, they moved from the 
Market-house Hall to the Pioneer Hall and complet- 
ed their organization by forming a class of twenty- 
four members, and immediately set about making ar- 
rangements for building a church. 

But, on coming in contact with Mr. Charles Baker, 
of Baltimore, Md., he impressed them with the idea 
that if they had organized an Independent Methodist 
Church they would have received liberal help from 
Baltimore, whereupon, on the 9th of October, 1868, 
the congregation, known as Trinity Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, South, was called together, and, after 
hearing of the advantages they would derive by making 
the change, they decided to reorganize, and did so 
under the name of "Trinity Independent Methodist 
Church." Rev. Williamson Harris was elected pastor 
and John Humbird, Asahel Willison, John E. Buck, 
John Lanabauch and W. M. Price were elected stew- 
ards. W. M. Price was elected secretary and Levi 
Wickard treasurer of the board. 

On November 11 the congregation was called to- 
gether in a business meeting at which time the build- 
ing of a church was again discussed and the stewards 
were authorized to secure subscriptions for that pur- 
pose. At the^next business meeting, held November 
30, 1868, the stewards were elected a board of trustees. 

In the meantime there appeared an article in both 

2 



4 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



the Civilian and the Alleghanian, Cumberland papers, 
highly commending the enterprise. It seems the whole 
community was filled with the idea of building the 
church. During the winter the committee was very 
successful in getting subscriptions, so that by the 
3rd of April, 1869, they felt justified in securing of 
Frederick Minke and Eva L. Minke, his wife, a lease 
on the beautiful corner lot, 63 by 76^4 feet, on South 
Centre and Union Streets, in the center of Cumberland, 
Md., for 99 years, renewable forever, subject to an 
annual rent of $280, of which $140 was payable semi- 
annually, viz., on the 5th of October and April; or 
redeemable at will by the payment of the sum of 
$3,466 and all arrearages of rent. 

Buoyancy and enthusiasm filled the heart of one and 
all, so that they decided to build a church 45 by 65 
and to proceed immediately with arrangements. Frank 
E. Davis of Baltimore was chosen as the architect, 
and as soon as the prints were received, J. and H. 
Korns were awarded the contract for the masonry; 
J. B. Walton of Cumberland, Md v was awarded the 
carpenter's contract, while John G. Greenfield was 
given the plastering, Messrs. Schmidt, of Baltimore, 
the frescoing and H. and J. Shuck the painting. 

The work was begun in a short time and pushed 
forward so rapidly that the foundation walls were com- 
pleted in June, 1869. Whereupon great preparations 
were made for the corner stone laying. The last issue 
of the Alleghanian before this event says : "The lay- 
ing of the corner stone of the Independent Methodist 
Church of this city is an interesting event and will 
take place on Wednesday, August 18, 1869. The re- 
ligious services in connection therewith will be held 
in the English Lutheran Church, corner of Baltimore 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



5 



and North Centre Streets, and will be conducted by 
Rev. John A. Williams of Baltimore, Md., an able and 
eloquent divine, assisted by the resident clergymen. At 
the conclusion of the services the corner stone will be 
laid upon the new foundation, at the corner of South 
Centre and Union Streets, with the beautiful and im- 
pressive ceremony of the Masonic Brotherhood. The 
Potomac Lodge, No. 100, will conduct the ceremonies 
and has extended an invitation to neighboring lodges to 
participate with them. The occasion will doubtlessly 
be one of more than ordinary interest. And if an 
appeal to the public should be made to aid the limited 
membership in the erection of this beautiful church 
edifice in process of erection, we bespeak a generous 
response." 

Accordingly, the corner stone of Trinity Inde- 
pendent Methodist Church, Cumberland, Md., was 
laid amid great joy and pomp, on Wednesday, the 
18th of August, 1869, under the auspices of the Ma- 
sonic brotherhood. 

Potomac Lodge, No. 100 ; Piedmont Lodge, No. 
128; Hiram Lodge of Lonaconing, No. 103; Ohr 
Lodge, Cumberland, Md., No. 131; Oakland Lodge, 
No. 133; Salem Arch Chapter, No. 18, and Chosen 
Friend Lodge, No. 34, and I. O. O. F. all assembled 
at the Masonic Hall on Baltimore Street and formed 
a procession after the following order : 

Past Grand Master Dr. C. H. Ohr, the oldest Mason 
at that time in Maryland, officiating. The procession 
was headed by the Lonaconing Band, Col. James 
Schley acting as Grand Marshal. Next came Chosen 
Friend Lodge, No. 34; then I. O. O. F., with band in 
their rear. Then came the tyler of the Potomac Lodge 
with drawn sword. Then the visiting lodges were 



6 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



formed in line according to their age and rank. They 
were succeeded by two stewards with white rods, then 
came a past master with a vessel of corn and the 
architect with square, level and plumb. They were 
followed by two past masters with silver vessels con- 
taining wine and oil. Next came the Secretary and 
Treasurer and they were followed by a past master 
bearing the Holy Bible, with square and compass, who 
was supported by two stewards. These were folowed 
by two past masters, each carrying a large light; then 
came the chaplain, clergy, orator, and wardens of 
lodges. Next in line was the Salem Royal Arch Chap- 
ter. Then the master of the Potomac Lodge supported 
by two deacons, brought up the rear, under the direc- 
tion of the Chief Marshal, Col. J. M. Schley. 

When the procession was completed they marched 
out Baltimore Street to and up Front Street to Fulton, 
and thence to and along Decatur to Bedford, from 
Bedford they turned into North Centre and down said 
street to the English Lutheran Church, where the re- 
ligious services were held at 11 a.m., which consisted 
in music by the choir, while Rev. James D. Fitzgerald, 
a Presbyterian, made the opening prayer, after which 
Rev. J. A. Williams, of Bethany Independent Metho- 
dist Church of Baltimore, Md., delivered an able and 
elegant discourse and was followed by prayer by 
Rev. P. T. Warren of the Baptist Church. The pastor 
of the German Reformed Church pronounced the 
benediction. 

Then the procession passed down Baltimore Street, 
to and out South Centre to the foundation of the new 
church, where the corner stone was to be laid. 

The granite stone bore the following inscription: 
"Trinity Independent Methodist Church, August 18, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



1 



1869." It was provided with a cavity, in which was 
placed a record containing the date of the organization 
of the church, its name, the name of the pastor, Rev. 
Williamson Harris; the names of the trustees and all 
other officials, number of members, number of Sunday 
school scholars and teachers, the names of the build- 
ing committee, the names of the architect and con- 
tractors and the names of the lodges and assisting 
lodges of Masons laying the corner stone, the names of 
the officers of the lodges participating, and the names 
of the officers of the Grand Lodge of Maryland ; the 
name of the President, Vice-President and Cabinet 
of the United States; the name of the Governor of 
Maryland; the name of the judge of the Circuit Court; 
names of the clerk, sheriff and register of Alleghany 
County and mayor of the city of Cumberland, Md. 

The stone also contained a copy of the Bible, Dis- 
cipline and hymn book of the church, a copy of the 
Constitution of the United States, and a copy of the 
constitution of Maryland ; a sample of coins and money 
used then in the United States, a copy of the papers 
of Cumberland, Md., together with a copy of the pro- 
gram. Then the stone was brought to its place to be 
laid with the ancient custom of the Masonic Order. 

Past Grand Master Ohr asked, "Brother J unior 
Warden, what is the proper emblem of your office?" 
He replied, "The plumb." Then the Past Grand 
Master said, "Will you apply the plumb to the parts 
of the stone which should be plumb." The Junior 
Warden applied the plumb and said, "I have applied 
the plumb and rind that the craftsmen have done their 
duty." 

The Past Grand Master then said, "Brother Senior 
Warden, what is the proper emblem of your office?" 

2Y 2 



8 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



The Senior Warden replied, "The level." "Will you 
apply the level to the stone." The Senior Warden 
applied the level and replied, "I have applied the level 
and find the craftsmen have performed their duty." 

The Past Grand Master then said: "Worshipful 
Master, what is the proper emblem of your office?" 
The Worshipful Master replied, "The square." Then 
the Past Grand Master said, "Will you apply the 
square to the parts of the stone which should be 
square." To which the Worshipful Master replied, "I 
have applied the square and find the craftsmen have 
done their duty." 

The Past Grand Master then said, "I declare this 
stone true, trusty and well laid," and gave the stone 
three raps with the gavel, after which he took the 
trowel and spread the corn of plenty and the wine of 
joy and peace on the stone and invoked plenty, joy 
and peace upon the people and all people everywhere. 

After which appropriate addresses were delivered 
by the Past Grand Master Dr. Ohr, Hon. Patrick 
Hamil, Worshipful Master of the Oakland Lodge, and 
Rev. John A. Williams. And at the conclusion of 
these services the Masonic fraternities repaired in 
order to the hall of Potomac Lodge. It is said this 
demonstration excelled anything of the kind ever 
seen in Cumberland before or since. However, unlike 
many instances, instead of this high tide enthusiasm 
being followed by a reactionary tendency, it was fol- 
lowed by encouragement and success on every hand, 
so that the work went steadily on. 

At the request of John Humbird and by paying the 
fee of $3.50, the lease was received and dated April 
3rd, 1869, recorded October 1st, 1869, in Liber No. 30, 
folio 179. This deed of lease made this 3rd day of 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



9 



April, 1869, by Frederick Mink and Eva L. Mink, his 
wife of the first part, and John Humbird, Asahel Willi- 
son, John E. Buck, Levi Wickard, John Longabaugh 
and W. M. Price, trustees of the Independent Metho- 
dist Church, party of the second part. 

"Witnessed! for the consideration of the rents and 
covenants hereinafter reserved, Frederick Mink and 
Eva L. Mink, his wife, parties of the first part, have 
granted and by these premises do grant, unto the said 
John Humbird, etc., trustees, and their successors in 
office, to be selected and appointed by themselves for 
the benefit of the members of the Independent Metho- 
dist Church of the City of Cumberland, Alleghany 
County, Maryland, lot 63 by 76^ feet on the northeast 
corner of South Centre and Union Streets, for 99 
years (renewable forever), subject to an annual rent 
of $280, of which $140 is payable semi-annually, viz., 
on the 5th of October and 5th of April, or redeemable 
at any time by the payment of $3,466, and all arrear- 
ages of rent. The above is signed by Frederick Mink 
and Eva L. Mink, his wife." 

A thrill of inspiration came on Christmas eve, 1869. 
The Ladies' Aid Society of Trinity Church had pre- 
pared a beautiful tree, and by 7 p.m. a large and appre- 
ciative audience assembled in the church, at which time 
the exercises began with instrumental music, elegantly 
rendered by Mr. Wolf, the organist. 

After which Mr. W. M. Price, the superintendent, 
and his assistant proceeded in the distribution of the 
treat to the school. The pastor was presented a hand- 
some study gown and pair of slippers, while Mrs. 
Harris and their little daughter each were the re- 
cipients of pleasing and appropriate presents. The 



10 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



officers, teachers and scholars were delighted with 
their remembrances. 

The male members of Trinity Independent Metho- 
dist Church held their first business meeting for the 
year 1870 on Friday evening, January 14th, at which 
time the pastor, Rev. Williamson Harris, reported 
the current expenses of the past year paid in full and 
still a balance in the treasury; and the spiritual con- 
dition of the church as being satisfactory and steadily 
growing. He said he had received twenty-nine mem- 
bers during the past year and now they had a member- 
ship of forty-five members and thus they had nearly 
doubled the original membership, and consequently 
they were greatly encouraged. The following stewards 
were elected: B. R. Edwards (President), W. M. 
Price (Secretary), John Humbird, Asahel Willison, 
John Longbaugh, John E. Buck and Levi Wickard, 
after which the meeting adjourned. 

Great enthusiasm prevailed, and the work on the 
edifice progressed finely through the winter and spring, 
so that by June the lower room was ready for dedica- 
tion, which occurred on Sunday, June 10th, at 11 a.m. 
Rev. Williamson Harris delivered an excellent ser- 
mon from the text: "And I will make them and the 
places around about my hills a blessing; and I will 
cause the showers to come down in his season; there 
shall be showers of blessings." Ezl, 34 :26. Rev. A. R. 
Reiley, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, delivered 
an excellent address and assisted the pastor in the 
sacramental service at 3 p.m. At night the pastor, 
Rev. Williamson Harris, preached a very impressive 
sermon from the text, "The Lord is merciful and 
gracious, slow to anger and plentious in mercy." Ps. 
CIII :8. 



IN CUMBERLAND , MARYLAND 



11 



For some time things went on well, and the church 
was in a harmonious condition ; but that there was 
some discontent is manifest from a call meeting of the 
Bible Class by its superintendent, Mr. H. H. Beall, 
on February 16th, 1871, whereupon the class passed 
the following preamble and resolutions : 

"Whereas, It is a foregone conclusion that Rev. 
Williamson Harris, the able and devoted pastor of this 
church, and leader of our Bible Class, will soon take 
his leave of us as a Bible Class, leaving us to be 
scattered or led by another, either of which under 
the provoking circumstances is, to say the least of it, 
most unpleasant to us all; we as a Bible Class, depre- 
cate the great evil that has come upon us, this church 
and community, by the unnecessary separation of such 
a public benefactor as Mr. Harris from us, not only 
as a class and church, but as a community ; 

Resolved, (1) That this Bible Class holds Mr. 
Harris in the highest esteem, as a Christian minister 
and gentleman, and as the leader of our class he has 
ever been most pleasant, tender and congenial. His 
very extensive knowledge of the Bible makes him 
withall a most competent teacher, and while we do not 
presume to sit in judgment upon the reasons leading 
to Mr. Harris' resignation and subsequent removal 
from us, we do feel that a great calamity has befallen 
us and must be sadly experienced by the friends of this 
church and Sunday school; 

Resolved (2), That although our class is composed 
in part of members of other congregations, yet we 
have had the most perfect union and harmony in our 
class, in which we have been taught the great truths 
and doctrines of the Gospel ; thus as a class we have 
been lifted to such knowledge of God's mercy and 



12 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



goodness that all could see that his great aim was to 
exalt the Bible as the only safe rule of our faith and 
practice, and Christ as the only Saviour of men. He 
must go from us, but his godly instruction, with his 
gentle manner and Christian sympathy with the truths 
of the Bible, will remain with us, and we trust may 
prove a savior of life unto life." 

In March, 1871, Rev. Williamson Harris resigned, 
and his resignation was accepted. Hence the church 
was left without a pastor and without a source from 
which to draw. Trinity congregation of the Inde- 
pendent Methodist Church, Cumberland. Md.. realized 
the deplorable condition into which it had fallen. 



CHAPTER II. 



Trinity Returned. 

In 1871, while the Baltimore Annual Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was in session, 
the congregation of Trinity Independent Methodist 
Church, Cumberland, Md., requested the said con- 
ference to fill its pulpit, which it consented to do, 
and appointed Rev. James Higgins to fill the vacancy. 

He was kindly received, and grasping the situation, 
the work moved off and progressed very satisfactorily. 
His excellent influence in the community and over the 
congregation was such that on the 27th of September, 
1871, the congregation unanimously voted to ask ad- 
mission into the Baltimore Conference of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, South. 

During the year the membership nearly doubled 
itself, and the work on the church building went 
steadily on. This incurred a considerable indebtedness, 
and, in order to protect and secure those advancing 
the money, a mortgage was given on the 28th of Oc- 
tober, 1871. But as those to whom the mortgage was 
given hoped the money would be raised in due time 
and they reimbursed, it was withheld for the time 
being. However, later it became necessary to have it 
recorded. 

"This mortgage, made the 28th day of October, 
1871, by us, John Humbird, Asahel Willison, John E. 
Buck, Levi Wickard, John Lanabaugh, W. M. Price, 
trustees of Trinity Independent Methodist Church, of 
the City of Cumberland, Maryland, 

"Witnesseth, Whereas by virtue of the discipline 
of said church adopted by the members thereof the 



13 



14 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



said above named parties were appointed trustees to 
hold the property of said church for the use and bene- 
fit of the members thereof, with power to raise money 
by mortgage on said church property to finish and 
complete and pay the debts on said church property 
for the building of the said new church edifice thereof ; 
and whereas, the said trustees did borrow the moneys 
hereinafter named from the persons hereinafter named 
and used the same in paying for the building of said 
new church edifice; and whereas, the said congrega- 
tion and members of said Trinity Church are now in- 
debted unto John Humbird, $1,588.30 with interest at 
.073/10 per cent from the first day of October, 1871 ; 
Asahel Williston, $1,588.30; W. M. Price, $1,531.58, 
and John Lanabaugh, $200 ; all from the same date 
and at the same rate of interest. 

"And the better to secure the payment of the said 
several sums, now due and owing to said parties, the 
said John Humbird, Asahel Willison, W. M. Price and 
John Lanabaugh, John E. Buck and Levi Wickard, 
trustees as aforesaid do grant unto John Humbird, 
Asahel Willison, W. M. Price and John Lanabaugh 
all that certain lot or parcel of ground lying and being 
on the corner of South Center and Union Streets, in 
the city of Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, 
and now occupied by said new church building, and 
which is fully described in a lease from Frank Minke 
and wife to said trustees, dated April 3d, 1869, and is 
recorded among the land records of Allegany County 
in Liber H. R. No. 30, folio 179; reference thereto 
will more fully appear. Provided, that if the said 
trustees aforesaid, or our successors, shall pay for 
and on behalf of the congregation and membership of 
said church, on or before the first day of October, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



15 



1875, the said several amounts herein before set forth, 
together with the interest thereon, as before stated. 
This mortgage to be void, otherwise to be and remain 
in full force." 



CHAPTER III. 



Trinity. 

In 1872 the Baltimore Annual Conference Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, South, admitted Trinity Inde- 
pendent Church, Cumberland, Md., as she is always 
ready to do under proper circumstances especially 
those who rightly belong to her fold, and appoixited 
Rev. J. W. Duffey to Trinity Church, Cumberland, 
Md. On arriving he found a Sunday school with an 
enrollment of 140 and a church membership of 80. 
And from all we can learn the church was in a pros- 
perous condition. 

The incoming pastor vigorously continued all phases 
of the church work laid down by his predecessor and 
success crowned his labors, so much so that they could 
see the completion of the church in the near future. 
September 29th was chosen as the day when the 
Church should be set apart for only holy purposes, 
and hence all were busily engaged in getting ready by 
the appointed time. Rev. J. W. Duffey, in his de- 
scription of the church, says : 

"It is semi-gothic, 45 by 65 feet, the tower is on the 
corner and is 16 by 16 feet, and when completed will 
be 118 feet high. It is two stories high, the first floor 
is the lecture, or Sunday school room, and the second 
story, the auditorium, is 38 by 54 feet, with a vestibule 
and choir gallery 10 by 38 feet. Its entire seating 
capacity is about 500. The entire floor is handsomely 
carpeted with an ingrain carpet. The pew ends are of 



16 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



17 



walnut and of handsome designs. The pulpit and 
altar are also of walnut. 

"The altar stand and pulpit chairs were furnished 
by Mr. K. H. Butler, the clock by S. T. Little, of Cum- 
berland, while Mr. H. Sanders donated $100 on the 
organ and Mr. Charles Baker, of Baltimore, gave all 
the stained glass in the windows, which cost $G80." 

He further says, "the cost of the building to date is 
$15,600, of which over $5,000 is unpaid." But with a 
bright outlook before them they fully expected to pay 
much of this debt by the proceeds of the liberal offer- 
ing they anticipated on the day of dedication. 

September 29th was bright and beautiful with 
crispy air and forests tinted with garnet and gold, so 
that the people came from every quarter until the 
church was filled to overflowing. The interior of the 
church was cozy and inviting and the pulpit hand- 
somely adorned with flowers. In addition to the 
pastor there was a great array of theologians present, 
viz., Bishop H. H. Kavanaugh, Rev. David Thomas, 
P. E. of the Moorfield District; Rev. John Poisal, 
D. D., editor of the Episcopal Methodist, Baltimore, 
Md. ; Rev. M. G. Balthis, of the Virginia Conference ; 
Rev. C. L. Torrison, Flintstone, Md. ; Rev. Carroll, of 
Parkersburg, W. Va. ; Rev. H. J. Candler, of the Bap- 
tist Church, Cumberland, Md. ; Rev. S. V. Leech, of 
Centre Street M. E. Church, Cumberland, Md. ; Rev. 
W. E. Munsey, D. D v and Rev. E. Wardsworth, D. D. 

The services began at 10.40 A. M. by the choir 
singing the anthem, "Praise the Lord, Praise His Holy 
Name," and then the Bishop read Hymn 784 : 

"Behold thy temple, God of grace, 

The house that we have reared for thee ; 



18 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Regard it as Thy resting place, 
And fill it with Thy majesty." 

After which Rev. S. V. Leech led in a most earnest 
and forcible prayer. Then Rev. H. J. Candler read 
the first morning lesson from the sixth chapter of 
Second Chronicles, after which the Bishop read the 
786th hymn and followed the singing of the same with 
a magnificent sermon, from the 18th verse of the sixth 
chapter of Second Chronicles : "But will God in very 
deed dwell with men on the earth ? behold, heaven and 
the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much 
less this house which I have built." 

At the conclusion the Bishop made an earnest appeal 
to the congregation to cancel the indebtedness, and 
said that he was informed that if the congregation 
would raise $4,000 it would put the indebtedness of 
the church in a manageable position. Whereupon the 
congregation responded liberally to the appeal, as may 
be seen from the following list of contributors : 



John Humbird , $200.00 

Asahel Willison 200.00 

W. M. Price 200.00 

Levi Wickard 200.00 

Cash 200.00 

John Lonabaugh 100.00 

Lloyd Lowndes, Jr 100.00 

William Taylor : . 100.00 

B. R. Edwards. 100.00 

Jacob Snyder 50.00 

S. J. Edwards 50.00 

Mrs. Susan Crist 50.00 

Mrs. J. Humbird 50.00 

J. Russell 25.00 

Chas. A. Seay 25.00 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



Jacob A. Mark 25.00 

F. Minke 25.00 

J. Hendrixon 25.00 

Dr. Hummelshine 25.00 

Mrs. A. Willison 25.00 

Dr. Poisal 25.00 

Mrs. D. L. Hitchcock 25.00 

Harry H. Beall 25.00 

Jessie Price 25.00 

M. V. Miller 10.00 

John Young 10.00 

W. Weber 10.00 

J. H. Earlougher 10.00 

Jessie Korns 10.00 

Cash 30.00 

Mrs. F. Minkes 10.00 

L. F. Fechtg 10.00 

Levi Rice 10.00 

A.J. Hale 10.00 

W. F. Garland. 10.00 

John Wentling 10.00 

James Connolly 10.00 

Three Friends 30.00 

John Edwards 5.00 

Mary Miller 5.00 

Mrs. Lonabaugh 5.00 

Miss Korns 5.00 

Miss M. E. White 5.00 

P. S. Hendrixon 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Hadley 10.00 

Harry Shuck 5.00 

S. T. Little 5.00 

H. B. Buck 5.00 

Mrs. A. J. Hale 5.00 



20 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



John E. Buck 33.00 

W.H.Hope 5.00 

John Henke 5.00 

M. V. Rumberger 5.00 

W. E. Garner 5.00 



Total $2,168.00 



The night services were equally as largely attended 
as the morning, and Dr. Pbisal preached an able ser- 
mon, after which they announced that the morning 
subscription amounted to $2,168.00, and reopened the 
subscription for the liquidation of the debt, and re- 
ceived the following contributions: 



Forwarded $2,168.00 

Mrs. Christ 5.00 

John Humbird 25.00 

James A. Buckey 5.00 

Henry Korns 25.00 

F. Earlougher 5.00 

J. Pancake 5.00 

Rev. David Thomas 5.00 

Edith Edwards 5.00 

Jennetta Snyder 5.00 

Lizzie McDonald 5.00 

Matilda Beall 5.00 

Mrs. Russell 5.00 

Mary E. Haller 10.00 

Eliza Dawson 5.00 

J. W. Donnelly 5.00 

W. E. Weber 50.00 

H. Gordon 20.00 

Mr. Wallace 5.00 

Paul A. Piatt 5.00 

Willie Crist 5.00 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 21 

Harry Beall 5.00 

Ellen Humbird 5.00 

Friends 43.00 

The Choir 21.00 

Howard Fuller 5.00 

Mrs. Greenfield 5.00 

Robert Canary 5.00 

Geo. Huffman 5.00 

Mrs. Spates 15.00 

E. P. Smith 10.00 

Dr. Scott 5.00 

Rev. J. W. Duffey 5.00 

Mollie Willison 5.00 

Rollie Humbird 5.00 

W. H. Resley 5.00 

D. Chisholm 5.00 

J. V. L. McKaig 5.00 

Mrs. R. Wineow 5.00 

Dr. Poisal 50.00 

G. W. Welste 5.00 

Ida Buckey 1.00 

Bishop Kavanaugh 5.00 

Miss Hadley 1.00 

Mrs. Baker 2.00 

Mr. Soyste 5.00 

Frank Edwards 1.00 

H. J. McNamee 500.00 

Cash 124.00 



Total $3,226.00 



Leaving an approximate indebtedness of $2,374 and 
the lease on the ground. 

After which Hon. W. M. Price, in behalf of the 
trustees of Trinity Church, Cumberland, Md., pre- 



22 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



sented it to Bishop Kavanaugh, who accepted it in very 
appropriate terms in behalf of the Baltimore Annual 
Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, South. And 
by our dedicatory prayer set it apart from all unhal- 
lowed purposes and for the worship of Almighty God. 
Then he briefly but beautifully and appropriately ad- 
dressed the congregation on the use of the church, 
after which the doxology was sung, and the Bishop 
pronounced the benediction. And thus ended a glo- 
rious day for Southern Methodism in Cumberland, 
Md. 

The following article appeared in the Baltimore 
Episcopal Methodist, the organ of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, South, November 23rd, 1872 : 

CUMBERLAND, MD. 

"Dear Bro. Baird: We are having a glorious re- 
vival at Trinity; up to this time seventeen have pro- 
fessed conversion and united with the church. A large 
portion of the membership have been powerfully 
blessed. The Lord is doing a great work for us. 
Bro. P. B. Smith, of West River Circuit, was with us 
last week; he preached to a large, attentive and ap- 
preciative audience, and, as you know, Bro. Smith is a 
host in himself. He left us on Thursday morning, 
owing to the dangerous illness of his son. May the 
Lord strengthen and keep him in health, for there is 
not a more zealous and faithful watchman on the 
tower than he. Bros. Carroll and Price, from Park- 
ersburg, W. Va., have been with us this week. And 
Bro. Carroll preached every night with great power 
and acceptance, and there has been good results. The 
young and the old are crying for mercy. 

"Bro. Duffey is working as never man worked here. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



23 



Thursday night will long be remembered as a wonder- 
ful exhibition of the power of God. A number were 
converted and the whole audience felt the presence of 
the Holy Spirit. May the Lord carry on his good 
work. More anon." 

Hence it is evident the church was in a good spir- 
itual condition. And so far as we know the year closed 
well. Rev. J. W. DufTey was returned in 1873 and the 
church moved on smoothly. However, the finances 
must have been a thorn in the flesh, for at the request 
of John Humbird the mortgage of October 28th, 1871, 
was recorded on the 15th of September, 1873, in Liber 
No. 39, folio 527, one of the mortgage records of 
Allegany County, Maryland. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Trinity. 

According to the minutes of the Baltimore Annual 
Conference, Rev. Geo. Zimmerman was appointed to 
Trinity Church, Cumberland, Md., 1874-5, and in ad- 
dition to the Cumberland work during the summer of 

1874, he opened a Sunday school and began preaching 
in a school house in the grove at Sandy Spring, near 
Judge U. D. Long's, and held a camp meeting there in 

1875, but as the appointment was of short duration we 
conclude it did not meet with as much success as was 
expected. 

He leaves an account of a well organized church. 
The board of trustees consisted of John Humbird, 
Asahel Willison, W. M. Price, John Lonabaugh, Levi 
Wichard, and John E. Buck. The board of stewards 
consisted of John Humbird, Asahel Willison, W. M. 
Price, John Lonabaugh, Levi Wichard, Dr. Joseph 
Weller, Jacob Snyder, B. R. Edwards, and J. E. Buck ; 
with William M. Price, superintendent of the Sunday 
school ; Dr. Joseph Weller, assistant ; W. H. Hope, 
secretary; B. F. Edwards, treasurer; J. W. Harrison 
and John Shaffer, librarians. 

A Ladies' Aid Society was organized April 12th, 
1875, by electing Mrs. S. J. Crisp, president ; Mrs. G. 
Trieber, vice president ; Mrs. M. P. Hadley, secretary, 
and Mrs. B. R. Edwards, treasurer. According to 
the rules adopted the lady members paid 10 cents and 
the gentlemen 25 cents per month. 

And on the 25th of April a Missionary Society was 



24 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 25 



organized in the Sunday school with the following 
officers: W. M. Price, president; John Hadley, vice 
president ; W. H. Hope, secretary, and John R. Buck, 
treasurer. They also elected a board of managers, 
consisting of Rev. Geo. Zimmerman, P. C, B. R. Ed- 
wards, Mrs. S. J. Crisp, Miss Lizzie Bloucher, Dr. J. 
Weller, Mrs. John Buck and Miss Lou Wolf. They 
adopted the envelop system and monthly payments. 
For their day, the stewards made the liberal allowance 
of $900 salary for their pastor, which was paid in full. 

The following is a calendar of the church services : 
Class meeting, Sunday morning at 9 a. m. ; preaching 
at 10.30 a. m. and 7.30 p. m. ; Sunday school, 2 p. m. ; 
the Young People's Bible Class in the pastor's study 
every Wednesday at 7.30 p. m. ; prayer meeting every 
Thursday at 7.30 p. m. ; Church Conference on Friday 
after every first Sunday, 7.30 p. m., and class meet- 
ing on the other Fridays at 7.30 p. m. 

The Ladies' Aid Soceity held a fair on February 
22d, 1876, which lasted a week and brought $226 into 
the coffers of the church, which to say the best of it, 
is a humanly devised method substituted for carrying 
on the kingdom of grace instead of the divine plan 
laid down in the word of God. And if not an indica- 
tion of a misunderstanding of our obligations or a 
lack of faith in God, it is a disregard of His plans and 
sooner or later is likely to be detrimental to the king- 
dom. This first recorded downward and backward 
step in connection with the Cumberland church soon 
met with its just deserts. 

The farewell sermon of Rev. G. H. Zimmerman, 
pastor of Trinity M. E. Church, South, is said to have 
been an exceedingly able presentation of the scriptures, 
and the same made a deep impression on the audience. 



CHAPTER V. 



Trinity Sold. 

Rev. J. Asbury Regester was appointed to Trinity 
Church, Cumberland, Md., March 8, 1876, and 
preached his first sermon on the 19th, to the satisfac- 
tion and pleasure of all who heard him. However, 
his stay was short. 

The whole country was in the grip of a financial 
panic. Hence owing to the scarcity of money it be- 
came more and more difficult to secure the running 
expenses of the church. 

And as there is no record showing the payment of 
the annual lease of $280, or any part of it, or the 
interest or any part of it, on the mortgage, or any 
part of the mortgage given October 28th, 1871, which 
mortgage matured on October 1st, 1875, together 
amounting to more than $7,000, without any evidence 
by which the church could or would come into better 
condition to meet its obligations, consequently those 
holding the mortgage foreclosed the same. 

And when the crisis came the property which only 
a few years before was reported to have cost $15,600, 
with little or no depreciation (except the scarcity of 
money) was sold for $6,500 — less than enough to meet 
the obligations assumed by those who had borne the 
weight and burden of the enterprise. 

Nevertheless, Mr. John Humbird, one of those who 
bore the burden, told Rev. J. W. Duffey, his former 
pastor, that he had been sorry that he had not paid off 
the indebtedness and held the building for the church. 

26 



CHAPTER VI. 



Title to Property. 

Inasmuch as the deed of lease and the title to this 
property have changed hands so frequently, it may 
be of some interest to the reader to have a more suc- 
cinct account than can be easily gotten from the fore- 
going. 

According to the records of Allegany County, Cum- 
berland, Md., Joseph Dilley in 1868 owned in fee 
simple the lot 63 by 76f/ 2 feet on the northeast corner 
of South Centre and Union Streets in the city of 
Cumberland, Md. And by lease dated February 15th, 
1868, and recorded in Liber No. 27, folio 57, Joseph 
Dilley and his wife leased this lot to Frederick Minke. 

Then by lease dated April 3rd, 1869, and recorded 
in Liber No. 30, folio 179, Frederick Minke and Eva 
L. Minke, his wife, leased to John Humbird, Asahel 
Willison, John E. Buck, Levi Wichard, John Lona- 
baugh and William E. Price, trustees of the Independ- 
ent Methodist Church, Cumberland, Md., said lot for 
a term of ninety-nine years, renewable forever, for 
$280 per year, payable semi-annually, viz., 5th of Octo- 
ber and 5th of April. Or redeemable at will by the 
payment of $3,466 and all arrearages of rent. 

The above named trustees built Trinity Independent 
Methodist Church on said lot, and therefore the church 
was in their holding, but not having complied with the 
contract the leasehold was in the hands of Frederick 
Minke and the title was still held by Joseph Dilley, 



27 



28 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



hence the three possessions, the church, lease and title 
in one property. 

The church having fallen into straightened circum- 
stances was sold in 1876. Frederick Minke, his wife 
and above named trustees, by lease dated March 17th, 
1877, and recorded in Liber No. 48, folio 253, as- 
signed their leasehold interest therein to the trustees 
of Christ Reformed Episcopal Church. 

After Dilley's death his heirs filed a bill, known as 
2954 Equity in the Circuit Court for this county, pray- 
ing for the sale of Dilley's property, and Benjamin R. 
Edwards was appointed trustee to sell lot on corner of 
South Centre and Union Streets. 

Edwards, by deed dated March 2nd, 1883, and re- 
corded in Liber No. 59, folio 494, one of the land 
records of Allegany County, Md., sold and conveyed 
the fee simple title in said lot to Alpheus Beall, who 
by deed dated April 6th, 1883, and recorded in Liber 
No. 59, folio 566, conveyed said fee simple interest to 
Frederick Minke, so that Frederick Minke then owned 
the entire interest in said lot. 

Frederick Minke and his wife then by deed dated 
the same day, April 6th, 1883, and recorded in Liber 
No. 59, folio 583, conveyed the fee simple estate in 
said lot to A. Hunter Boyd and Robert E. Henderson, 
trustees, for certain purposes set out in said deed. 
A. Hunter Boyd and R. E. Henderson, as such trus- 
tees, by deed dated December 4th, 1886, and recorded 
in Liber No. 63, folio 318, conveyed the fee simple 
title to Ellen S. Stubblefield, who in turn conveyed 
it to Jacob Humbird, by deed dated February 14th, 
1887, and recorded in Liber No. 63, folio 437. 

The trustees of Christ Reformed Episcopal Church 
having conformed with the covenant in lease given by 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



29 



Frederick Minke, his wife and others, paid not only 
the. ground rent, to hereinafter date mentioned, but 
also the redemption price, $3,466, as well. Therefore, 
Jacob Humbird and E — Humbird, his wife, conveyed 
the fee simple title to the trustees of Christ Reformed 
Episcopal Church, by deed dated April 2nd, 1888, and 
is recorded in Liber No. 65, folio 176. And thus the 
property in its entirety passes into the possession of 
Christ Reformed Episcopal Church. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Our Right to a Place in Cumberland. 

While our people suffered a grievious loss in the 
sale of the church and were scattered, nevertheless 
love lingered in the hearts of the children, for their 
parent, the church, and the church never gives up her 
children, except those who unite with some other fold 
or wander away. 

We lost our property, but did not lose our right to 
care for our own, or the right to take part in the 
salvation of the people in Cumberland, Md., any more 
than a right to take part in the salvation of the people 
in the community around Cumberland. And I do not 
remember of ever hearing of anyone questioning our 
right to continue our services in the charges that lay 
all around the city. 

Cumberland was not only a hub or business center, 
but a center of our church in that region, around which 
lay the charges, Flintstone, Listenburg, Frostburg, 
Piedmont, Keyser and Springfield. The last named 
charge at various times had an appointment in the 
schoolhouse in Ridgeley, W. Va., which was not more 
than five or six hundred yards from the court house 
in Cumberland, Allegany County, Md. 

And if I am not mistaken, about the time our work 
was suspended in Cumberland, Humbird Chapel on the 
Flintstone Circuit, was built, to which much of the 
furniture and fixtures of the Cumberland Church was 
moved. I am told that the Humbirds and others re- 



30 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



31 



siding in Cumberland continued to worship with us by 
going to Humbird's Chapel. And Mr. John Humbird 
continued a liberal supporter of the church as long 
as he lived. 

And, besides our members living in Cumberland, 
others were constantly moving there, and as the city 
was growing in business it was drawing some of the 
most efficient members directly from more than half 
of the charges in the Moorefield District, and indi- 
rectly from various parts of our conference territory. 
Hence the conference was under obligation to open 
work in the city in order to care for her own. 

In 1894 Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann was appointed to 
Slanesville charge, not far distant from Cumberland, 
and on his first visit to the city he met Dr. Joseph 
Weller, who had been an official in Trinity M. E. 
Church, South, and on subsequent visits to the city he 
met quite a number of Southern Methodists, who re- 
quested him to give them service, and doubtless he 
would have done so had it not been the Springfield 
charge was between his work and Cumberland, and 
therefore he felt it was beyond his jurisdiction. 

In 1896 the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. moved its 
roundhouse from Keyser, W. Va., to Cumberland, Md. 
This caused quite a number of families connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Keyser, 
Piedmont, W. Va., and elswhere, to move to Cumber- 
land and hence augmented the demand for the M. E. 
Church, South, in Cumberland. 

Rev. Geo. Zimmerman, Presiding Elder of the 
Mooerfield District, knowing that many members 
within the bounds of his District, in order to keep 
their employment and thereby provide for themselves 
and families, would be compelled to move from the 



32 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



place and church of their choice to Cumberland, real- 
ized if they were to remain within our fold the im- 
perative necessity of establishing our church in Cum- 
berland, so presented the matter to the ensuing annual 
conference. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Return to Cumberland and Second Trinity. 

The Conference heard Rev. Geo. Zimmerman's pre- 
sentation of the prospective work in Cumberland with 
interest, and appointed Rev. S. A. Parker to that field 
on March 30th, 1897. 

Arriving on the field he secured St. John's Lutheran 
Church, corner of Arch and Fourth Streets, and here 
on the 9th of May at 3 p. m. effected the organization 
of a Sunday school. He was elected superintendent ; 
Mrs. Amanda Sisk, secretary; Miss Maud Wireman, 
treasurer; Miss May Cunningham, organist^ with the 
following teachers: J. Robert Portmess, Mrs. Millard 
Davis, Miss Florence Everstine, Mrs. Mary Stanhagen, 
Miss Nancy Hosack, Mrs. Vallie Sinclare and Mrs. 
Emma Edwards, with an enrollment of fifty members. 

At the same time and place he also organized the 
church with twenty-four members — just the same 
number the church was organizeed with in Pioneer 
Hall on the 23rd of August, 1868. 

The charter members were Mrs. Molley Bedinger, 
Mrs. Emma Bochtel, Mrs. Fannie Butler, Mr. Harry 
Cole, Mrs. Olivia Cole, M. F. Davis, Mrs. Maggie 
Davis, Warner Freeland, W. V. Harriott, Miss Dora 
Keenen, J. J. Long, Mrs. Laura Long, Mrs. Eliza Mc- 
Nemar, Mrs. S. A. Parker, J. Robert Portmess, Mrs. 
Florence Purington, Mrs. Ella Rafter, A. D. Randell, 
Mrs. Nora Randell, William Shea, Mrs. Eliza Shea, 
Mrs. Amanda Sisk, Mrs. Mary Stanhagen and Mrs. 



33 



34 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Vallie Sinclare. They then and there decided to give 
the congregation the name the original church had, 
"Trinity." 

While the Lutheran minister and congregation were 
very cordial, nevertheless by the last of June, Rev. S. 
A. Parker found it was very difficult for two congre- 
gations to hold service in the same house and both do 
their best work, so he concluded to get another place, 
where he could hold services both morning and night. 
Hence he rented Roberts' Hall, on Virginia Avenue, 
and conducted services there on and after the first 
Sunday of July, 1897. 

As the members were scattered over Cumberland, 
Ridgeley and the regions around, and most of them 
engaged in railroad employment, it was very difficult 
to get many of them together at a time, and hence the 
work moved on slowly. 

And in addition to all other difficulties, in the midst 
of the heated summer months both Mrs. Parker and 
their little daughter, Marrian, were very ill with 
typhoid fever, so much so that fear and hope balanced 
each other in the scales. As soon as they sufficiently 
recovered, Mr. Parker moved them over to the home of 
a former friend, Mr. Robert Washington, on the south 
branch of the Potomac River in Hampshire County. 
W. Va., where they remained until they regained their 
health. 

The Parkers, having had so much sickness and con- 
sequent expenses, and as out of the inadequate allow- 
ance of $200 for himself and family, he had only re- 
ceived $150 at the Quarterly Conference held in Febru- 
ary, 1898, both Rev. George Zimmermann, the P. E.. 
and Rev. S. A. Parker thought seriously of abandoning 
the field. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



35 



Nevertheless, there were some encouraging features ; 
for instance, there were ten officers and teachers with 
sixty scholars in the Sunday School, and in addition 
to the charter members, he had received Hiram 
Alkire, Archibald Allen, Annie Allen, Annie Bowen, 
Ida Butler, Caroline Brewer, Rar Durrett, Jeremiah 
Chadwich, Edna Chadwich, Guy Chadwich, Agnes 
Cordry, Mrs. Dawson, Sarah Dulin, William Dur- 
rett, Arvey Durrett, William Everstine, Mary 
Everstine, Mrs. Fisher, Joseph W. Hansel, Bes- 
sie Kalbaugh, Mrs. Will Long, Charles McNemar, 
Isaac Mills, Savilla Mills, D. M. Parker, Elizabeth 
Parker, Susie Parker, Alice Pennington, William Pe- 
ters, Bessie Peters, Emma Short, Mrs. Joseph Walley, 
Mrs. W T hite, Mrs. Workman, Hattie Trout, Ella Ayers 
and Asbury Seedar, so that at the end of the year 
there were fifty-eight members. 

This noble little band pressed hard on every side, 
not only paid its allotment but $12 in addition. And 
at the adjourned quarterly conference they decided to 
continue the work another year. 



4 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Second Trinity on Grand Avenue. 

At the Conference held in Hinton, W. Va., March, 
1898, Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann was appointed to Cum- 
berland, Md., where he remained the ensuing quad- 
rennium. 

On arriving he was cordially received and comfort- 
ably domiciled in the home of Mr. Millard F. Davis, 
corner of Grand Avenue and Fourth Street, where 
the ladies had nicely furnished a room for the in- 
coming pastor. A few days later a reception was 
given in his honor at same place, and an opportunity 
afforded him to meet many of the people. 

He found a little weak and struggling society in 
Robert's Hall, on Virginia Avenue, with a congrega- 
tion of eighteen or twenty, consequently there was 
little hope of paying rent of hall, much less clearing 
the past indebtedness of $12. 

And as the hall had been fitted up for theatricals 
and used for all kinds of entertainments, the pastor 
did not consider it a suitable place for divine worship 
or a place inducive to spirituality, hence he immedi- 
ately set out to see what could be done to better the 
condition of the church. 

On surveying the field he found twenty-five South- 
ern Methodists and as many friends living in what 
was known or called "Uptown, or Old Cumberland," 
and most of them near "Trinity," their former church, 
which was in the center of the city. They had a gen- 



36 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARRLAND 



37 



uine longing for their own church and were very 
anxious to begin the re-establishment of Southern 
Methodism in that part of the city at once. The heart 
that would not have felt a response could scarcely have 
been any thing less than adamant. 

But as it was impracticable to have two weak and 
struggling plants at the same time ; and as his prede- 
sorror had gathered and formed a nucleus in what 
was designated or known as "South Cumberland," he 
realized it would never do to frustrate that enterprise. 
However, the field looked so. favorable and the possi- 
bilities so real to him, that he assured them that if they 
would stand by the work already begun, as soon as it 
was on its feet, they, too, should have a church of 
their own. 

The pastor, not finding a suitable place for divine 
worship, but seeing several lots on the market, secured 
options on a half dozen of the most desirable, and on 
Sunday, May 22, announced from the stand in Robert's 
Hall that there would be a meeting Thursday, May 
26th, at 2 p. m., on corner of Grand Avenue and First 
Street, to select a location for Trinity M. E. Church, 
South, and requested all interested to be present. Ac- 
cording to announcement, the meeting was held and 
location decided on. The next day, May 27th, Rev. 
J. H. Kuhlmann purchased of "The Cumberland Im- 
provement & Investment Company," Lots 114-115 and 
subsequently eleven feet of Lot 116 parallel with Lot 
115 of "The Cumberland Improvement Company" a 
site between First and Second Streets, on Grand Ave- 
nue, 90 by 100 feet, for $341.25. 

On Sunday, May 29th, the pastor reported to the 
congregation that a site for the church had been pur- 



38 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



chased on Grand Avenue, between First and Second 
Streets, in the most desirable part of the new section 
of the city. South Cumberland was a mushroom town, 
growing in population at the rate of 1,000 a year; 
most of the people were following their employment 
and consequently had to dispose of their homes or 
leave them behind ; in either instance, frequently at a 
sacrifice. They were entirely dependent on their 
salary, and as many of them were building for them- 
selves and families, therefore money was scarce, very 
scarce. Nevertheless, they received the information 
of the purchase of a lot with great satisfaction. 

One lady said to another: "Now we will have a 
place to hold our lawn fetes." Hearing the remark, the 
pastor announced at the close of his sermon that he 
would preach the next Sunday to the children, and, in 
doing so, he took for his text : 

"The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled 
with wisdom : and the grace of God was upon him." 
Luke 11 :40. 

He told the beautiful story of Christ's life, and, 
when He became a man and entered upon the ministry, 
how disappointed and disgusted He was when He came 
to the temple, the church, and found the people there, 
retailing, selling things, in his Father's house; where- 
upon He drove them out, saying the church should be 
a place of prayer and not a place of merchandise or 
money-making. And from that day to the end of His 
pastorate there was not even so much as a mention 
of an entertainment to make money for the church, 
though it was poor and needed every penny it could 
get. 

New hope having been engendered, great activity 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



39 



became perceptible in every department of the church. 
The Sunday school grew rapidly, so that by Children's 
Day, in June, there were 11 officers and teachers with 
133 scholars enrolled. 

Rev. B. F. Ball was appointed presiding elder of the 
Moorefield District on the 28th of March, 1898, and 
remained the ensuing quadrennium. 

He held the First Quarterly Conference of Cumber- 
land Charge, for the current year 1898-9, on the 27th 
of June, in Millard F. Davis' home, corner of Grand 
Avenue and Fourth Street. Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, P. 
C. Daniel, M. Parker, J. Robert Pottmess, Mrs. Bar- 
bara Chadwich, and Mrs. Maggie Davis were present. 
J. Robert Portmess was elected secretary and record- 
ing secretary. 

Daniel M. Parker, Jeremiah Chadwich, Milliard F. 
Davis, Albert D. Randall and J. Robert Portmess were 
elected stewards. 

The Presiding Elder's salary having been fixed by 
the District Stewards at $20, was accepted, and the 
stewards set their pastor's salary at $300. 

While these were the days of small things, never- 
theless they are not to be despised, for in them we were 
laying a foundation for larger and greater things. The 
finances already showed an improved condition, $27 
having been raised and used in furnishing the pas- 
tor's room. The incidental collections of $18.75 was 
sufficient to pay hall rent in full to the first of May. 
The stewards paid the presiding elder's quota, $5.00, 
in full and the preacher in charge $24.63, while the 
pastor reported the purchase of a church and parson- 
age site 90 by 100 feet on Grand Avenue for $341.25, 
$70 of which he had paid and had $130 in hand, with 



40 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



$78 in good subscriptions, only leaving $63.25 to be 
raised. Hence, a considerable change had taken place 
in this week and struggling church since the Fourth 
Quarterly Conference of last year. Now all are filled 
with hopefulness and enthusiasm. 

With this encouragement the Quarterly Conference 
elected J. Robert Portmess, Jeremiah T. Chadwich, 
Millard F. Davis, Daniel M. Parker, Albert D. Ran- 
dall, Archibald J. Allen, and Willard Everstine a 
Board of Trustees for Trinity Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, Md. 

On the first day of July, 1898, Trinity's force began 
the erection of a Tabernacle 30 by 50 feet on their own 
lot, and while it was not attractive to the artistic eye, 
nevertheless it was exceedingly comfortable during the 
summer months. It was very simple, consisting of 
nine posts, with plank roof, cotton curtain siding and 
a carpet of native green. Those not favorable toward 
the enterprise often stigmatized it as "the hay bar- 
racks ;" but it drew and grew. 

The first Sunday, the 3rd day of July, 1898, was a 
beautiful day and Trinity Sunday School was out in 
full, just one year from the time Rev. S. A. Parker 
moved Trinity Sunday school and congregation into 
Roberts Hall ; Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann moved them into 
the Tabernacle on their own lot, Grand Avenue. It is 
impossible to express in cold print the delight mani- 
fested in the services held that day on the parsonage 
site of Trinity Church. 

When once on their own property, the Sunday school 
and congregation steadily grew, while other churches, 
on account of the summer heat, had small congrega- 
tions. Trinity Tabernacle congregation was large, and 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



41 



enthusiasm filled the hearts of one and all who were 
connected with the enterprise. 

Mrs. Annie Allen, wife of Archibald Allen, a mem- 
ber of Trinity and teacher in the Sunday school, told 
Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann of the little village called St. 
Clairsville (now Ridgeley), which lays across and in 
the elbow of the Potomac River in Mineral County, 
W. Va., not more than three or four hundred yards 
from the Alleghany County Court House, Cumber- 
land, Md., and stated that there was a two-room 
school house in the village and both were well filled 
with children, hence she thought it a good opening for 
a Sunday school and invited her pastor to survey the 
field. The invitation was accepted, and while there 
were but seven Southern Methodists and three chil- 
dren in their homes in the community, nevertheless 
announcement was made and Sunday school was or- 
ganized on August 9th, 1898, in the Ridgeley school 
house, by electing Robert J. RadclifT, superintendent; 
Miss Bernice Everstine, secretary ; Mrs. Mary Law- 
rence, treasurer; Mrs. Annie M. Allen, Mrs. Fred 
Hadra, Mrs. Elmer Biggs and Mrs. Charlie Ridgeley, 
teachers, with 45 scholars. 

Trinity congregation, realizing it must have a more 
permanent place of worship before winter set in, de- 
cided to build a chapel 30 by 50 feet on the rear of 
their lot, and began excavating for it in the early part 
of August, 1898. 

As the membership was small and means limited, 
the pastor and male members decided to do the exca- 
vating themselves. The day on which the work began 
Bro. Millard F. Davis, an engineer on the B. & O. 
Railroad, a Trustee and Steward of the church, lent 



42 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



a helping hand, and all went well and joyful. The 
next morning the work was resumed and pushed for- 
ward to completion, Bro. Davis having been called to 
the post of duty responded, during which trip and 
in a moment when he least suspected danger, was 
caught in a trap, by the running away of his train 
down the seventeen-mile grade, and the pinning of his 
limb against the red hot door of the fire box, which 
burned the marrow in the bone and caused its ampu- 
tation. This was the first sad stroke to the church 
and entailed a life-long affliction on him and his family. 

Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, having collected sufficient 
money, paid for Trinity M. E. Church, South, and 
parsonage lot on Grand Avenue, Cumberland, Mary- 
land, September 7th, 1898, and the deed is recorded 
in Liber No. 83, folio 661, one of the Land Records 
of Alleghany County, Cumberland, Maryland. 

"This deed, made this 7th day of September, 1898, 
by and between the Cumberland Improvement and In- 
vestment Company, a corporation duly incorporated 
under the laws of Maryland, party of the first part; 

"The Cumberland Improvement Company, a corpo- 
ration duly incorporated under the laws of Maryland, 
party of the second part, and 

"J. Robert Portmess, Jeremiah T. Chadwick, Mil- 
lard F. Davis, Daniel M. Parker, A. D. Randall, Archi- 
bald J. Allen and Willard Everstine as Trustees of 
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Cumber- 
land, Maryland, and their successors in office, as from 
time to time appointed according to the laws and usage 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, under and 
pursuant to the laws of this State, party of the third 
part. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



43 



"Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the 
sum of $341.25 lawful money of the United States of 
America, $300 of which sum has been well and truly 
paid by the party of the third part, to the party of the 
first part, and $41.25 by the party of the third part, 
to the party of the second part, the receipt whereof 
is hereby acknowledged. 

"The said parties of the first and second parts have 
granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do 
grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the party of the 
third part and their successors and assigns, now pos- 
sessed, all those lots, parcels of land in or near the city 
of Cumberland, Maryland, in Alleghany County, in 
what is known as the Southern Addition of Cumber- 
land, Improvement and Investment Company, known 
as Lots 114 and 115, and that portion of Lot 116 lying 
immediately adjoining Lot 115, being eleven feet front 
on Grand Avenue, and running back in a straight line 
eleven feet wide adjoining Lot 115 to Wendell Alley. 

"The said Lots 114 and 115 belonging to the party 
of the first part, and that portion of the Lot 116 above 
described belonging to the party of the second part. 

"Together with all and singular the rights, members, 
hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belong- 
ing or in any wise incident or appertaining. To have 
and to hold all and singular the premises above men- 
tioned unto the said Trustees of the Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, of Cumberland, their suc- 
cessors and assigns forever. 

"In trust, that said premises shall be used, kept, 
maintained and disposed of as a place of divine wor- 
ship for the use of the ministry and membership of 
the M. E. Church, South, and a residence for the use 



44 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



and occupancy of the preacher of the M. E. Church, 
South, who may from time to time be appointed in 
said place, subject to the usage, discipline and minis- 
terial appointment of said church, as from time to time 
authorized and declared by the General Conference of 
said church, and the Annual Conferene within whose 
bounds the said premises are or may hereafter be situ- 
ated. 

"Whenever it shall become necessary or may be 
deemed expedient by the proper authorities of the said 
church to sell or otherwise to dispose of said bargained 
premises or any part thereof, they may and are hereby 
empowered to sell or otherwise dispose of the same 
by and through the said Trustees and their successors, 
under and pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of 
the Discipline of the said Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, then and at that time in force. 

"And the said parties of the first and second parts 
hereby covenant with the party of the third part that 
they will warrant specially the property hereby con- 
veyed, and that they will execute such other and fur- 
ther assurance of said land as may be requisite. 

"And their deed further witnesseth, that the par- 
ties of the first and second parts do each severally 
hereby appoint Claud D. Lockwood of the City of 
Cumberland, Maryland, to be their attorney for them 
and each of them and in their name and as and for 
their corporation and deeds to acknowledge this deed 
before any person having authority by the law of the 
State of Marylnad, to take such acknowledgment, to 
the intent that the same may be duly recorded." 

The corporate seal and the names of Simon Rosen- 
baum, president, and D. P. Miller, secretary, are af- 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



45 



fixed to the deed. 

"S.tate of Maryland, Alleghany County. 

"I hereby certify that on the seventh day of Septem- 
ber, in the year eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, 
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace of 
the State of Maryland, in and for Alleghany County, 
personally appeared Claude D. Lockwood, the attor- 
ney named in the above deed, and by virtue and in pur- 
suance of the authority therein conferred upon him, 
acknowledged the said deed to be the respectiv act of 
the said The Cumberland Improvement and Invest- 
ment Company and The Cumberland Improvement 
Company. 

(Signed) "Charles R. Morris, 

"Justice of the Peace." 

Trinity's Second Quarterly Conference for the cur- 
rent year was held in the pastor's study, corner of 
Grand Avenue and Fourth Street, September 22d, 
1898. Rev. B. F. Ball, P. E. ; Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, 
P. C. ; J. Robert Portmess, D. M. Parker and A. D. 
Randall were present. 

At which time and after attending to the regular 
business of the Quarterly Conference, a building com- 
mittee, consisting of Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, D. M. 
Parker, Robert Twigg, and Harry Cole, was appointed. 
On adjournment of the Conference the committee met 
and, concurring with the action previously taken by 
the congregation, decided to build a chapel 30 by 50 
feet of Gothic architecture, with stone foundation, the 
two ends and rear side red brick and the front side 
frame covered with penciled tin, representing brick, 
so as to be easily removed when the auditorium is 
built, and with slate roof. And as a good deal of 



46 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



labor and material had been subscribed the committee 
decided to have the work done by the day, instead of 
contracting. 

D. M. Parker and J. H. Kuhlmann were chosen to 
superintend the work. They employed Robert F. 
Twigg to build the foundation walls for $35, which 
he gave as his donation. Mr. Street was employed to 
do the brick work and Jacob Oats to do the wood work. 

The stone for the foundation were given by the 
Bell Brothers and McKaig & Co. The Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad hauled them to the Virginia Avenue 
crossing free of charge. The Queen City Brick Co. 
gave 8,000 brick and Henry W. Bloucher 6,000 brick. 
C. Miller gave $56 on the slate, and Henry Milten- 
burger $20 worth of lumber. Many others contributed, 
among whom a gentleman passing the church in the 
process of erection said, "I want to help in the erec- 
tion of this church because it does not hold entertain- 
ments for money making," and immediately made his 
contribution. 

As the work on the foundation came to completion, 
arrangements were made for the first public demon- 
stration; but, unlike the cornerstone laying of the 
First Trinity Church, in Cumberland, there was no 
sound of the bugle, nor tramp of the multitude, nor 
feasting; but in the bleak wind of autumn, on the 
13th of October, 1898, in the presence of a goodly 
gathering, Rev. B. F. Ball of Romney, W. Va., in the 
use of our beautiful ritual, laid the cornerstone of 
Trinity M. E. Church, South, Grand Avenue, Cum- 
berland, Md. 

The substructure being completed and the material 
on hand, the erection of the church went steadily on. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



47 



The cold winds of October and November were 
voices calling for activity, lest winter come before the 
church was ready for occupancy. Consequently every 
nerve was strained and every energy exerted in order 
that the work might be pressed forward. 

However, owing to financial limitations, it was evi- 
dent that the church could not be completed at once. 
Nevertheless, there was a strong persuasion that it 
could be enclosed and made sufficiently comfortable 
to hold service in by the first of December, which day 
was set for the formal opening. 

Trinity M. E. Church, South, Grand Avenue, 
Cumberland, Md. 
The Cornerstone Laid October 13, 1898, 
and Opened December 1, 1898. 
J. H. Kuklmann, Pastor. 

The day was gray and uninviting, but promptly at 
9.30 a. m. Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, pastor and superin- 
tendent ; Miss Edna Chadwich, secretary ; J. R. Port- 
mess, Mrs. Barbara Chadwich, Mrs. Annie Allen, Miss 
Annie Bowen, Misses Florence and Emma Everstine, 
teachers, with 150 scholars, marched from the Taber- 
nacle into the new chapel and held the first service 
in it. 

Long before the hour of public worship the house 
was crowded to its utmost capacity. At 11 a. m. 
Rev. Rumsey Smithson, D. D., of Charlestown, W. 
Va., preached an excellent sermon, one calculated to 
make all want to live more efficient lives. The church 
being free of debt, only the ordinary collection was 
taken. Dr. Smithson was given $10, but with epxres- 



48 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



sions of pleasure he returned it to be used in the fur- 
ther improvements of the church. The pastor preached 
at 7.30 p. m. and the day closed with satisfaction to all. 

Though in the midst of winter, the work continued 
on the interior of the church, and as there were only 
four dwellings in the square on both sides of Grand 
Avenue, the church virtually stood out in the cold 
fields, without sidewalks of any kind, so that in order 
that the people could get through the mud to the 
church, it was necessary to take church funds and 
make cinder walks. 

The Quarterly Conference met for the first time in 
the new church on December 30th, 1808. Revs. B. F. 
Ball.. P. E. ; J. H. Kuhlmann. P. C. : M. F. Davis, Mrs. 
M. F. Davis and Mrs. Jeremiah Chadwich were pres- 
ent. 

Trinity Church Conference was called to order by 
the pastor after religious services on March 26th, 
1S99. The reports showed the spiritual and financial 
state of the church in good condition. On calling the 
roll it was found that Miss Dora Keener. Miss Hattie 
Troutman and Joseph W. Hansel had been absent 
more than a year. and. as their residence was unknown, 
on motion and vote of the society, their names were 
removed from the church roll. 

On the 27th of March Robert F. Twigg. Archibald 
J. Allen and Willard Everstine were added to the 
Board of Stewards for the ensuing year. George W. 
Pollock was elected superintendent of Trinity Sunday 
School and Robert J. Radcliff superintendent of 
Ridgeley Sunday School. 

The record shows there were two Sunday Schools 
with 21 officers and teachers and 210 scholars; that 32 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



49 



had been received into the church and four removed, 
leaving a membership of 86. The salaries were paid 
in full, and Conference assessments overpaid; that 
the church had personal property worth $747, and a 
church worth $1,633, with an indebtedness of $500. 

As a mark of development and appreciation the 
official board on the 17th of July, 1899, advanced their 
pastor's salary $100. 

For a long while Ridgeley, W. Va., was regarded 
as common or neutral territory, to be occupied by any 
or none. At times it was an appointmnet in the 
Springfield Circuit, Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, and at other times different denominations of 
Cumberland gave it attention, but as often abandoned 
the field. 

And now, as it has been a long while without preach- 
ing, and as Robert Radcliff and his assistants had 
successfully conducted the Sunday school organized 
by Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann in the public school house 
of Ridgeley, W. Va., for more than a year, and as 
Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann was regarded as preacher in 
charge, he decided to and did open a preaching ap- 
pointment there on the first Sunday of October, 1899. 

When the pastor of Trinity M. E. Church, South, 
Cumberland, Md., began preaching in Ridgeley, W. 
Va., it soon revived the evangelistic spirit in the heart 
of Rev. Theodor Yost, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran 
Church, corner of North Centre and Baltimore Streets, 
so that he, too, wanted to have part in the salvation 
of that people, and following the precedents made an 
announcement for preaching in Ridgeley school house. 

The people turned out with appreciation and on hav- 
ing such an encouraging congregation he felt it was 



50 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



time to garner the grain and announced that he would 
continue the meeting. However, after a few evenings, 
being unable to fill his appointment, he secured the 
services of Rev. Peter Fagan, a negro local preacher of 
McKendree (African M. E. Church), Cumberland, to 
fill the vacancy. This so astonished and incensed the 
public that they refused to attend his services there- 
after, and consequently he had to discontinue and with- 
draw. 

On October 24th, Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann sprang a 
surprise on the ladies of Trinity congregation by tell- 
ing them of his engagement to Miss Mary L. Perrie 
of Westwood, Md., and that they were to be married 
on October 31st. They received the news kindly and 
immediately set about and comfortably furnished the 
house he had rented of D. M. Parker, corner of First 
and Arch Streets. A committee met the returning 
couple at Queen City and escorted them to the newly- 
furnished home, where a reception awaited them. 
Mrs. Kuhlmann was a woman of refinement and culture 
and grace, with rare insight into character and of un- 
usual adaptability, so that the poorest or humblest felt 
at ease in her presence, and the learned or cultured 
realized they were with their equal. She at once took 
an active part in the work of the church and became 
a great help to both her companion and the ladies of 
the church. 

Trinity having been completed, all were looking for- 
ward with great anticipation to the day of its dedica- 
tion. And when it came the weather was fair and the 
air tinged with frost. The congregation filled the 
house long before the hour of public worship. 

At 11 a. m., on November 12th, 1899, Rev. S. K. 



Trinity Chapel, M. E. Church South 
Cumberland, Md. 
Dedicated November 12, 1899 
Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, Pastor 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 51 



Cox, D. D., of Winchester, Va., preached in the sweet- 
est spirit and choicest diction the dedicatory sermon, 
and then in the use of the beautiful ritual of the 
M. E. Church, South, dedicated Trinity Grand Avenue, 
Cumberland, Md. 

The church, being free of debt, only the usual col- 
lection was taken, which was a great surprise to all 
except those on the inner circle who knew of the care- 
ful financing of the enterprise. This done, the church 
had redeemed itself and gained th econfidence of the 
public and paved the way for future enterprises. 

After the dedication Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann began a 
series of meetings in the Ridgeley school house, during 
which time the Dunkards or German Baptists made 
an appointment for same date, hour, and place; but 
on arriving they found Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann back of 
the stand and in the act of beginning services, during 
which they remained and then disappeared to return 
no more. This gave the pastor full and complete right 
of way. 

The meeting resulted in four accessions on profes- 
sion of faith and seven by certificates, and the forma- 
tion of a class of eleven members on November 27th, 
1899. 

The charter members were Hiram Alkire, Archi- 
bald J. Allen, Annie M. Allen, Bernice Everstine, Mol- 
lie Biggs, Robert Radcliff, Elizabeth Hadra, Nora 
Long, Charles W. Deffinbaugh, Jennie Wisner, and 
Leacreia CofTman. 

Trinity Sr. League was organized on the 4th of 
January, 1900, with 25 members, by electing J. Robert 
Portmess, president; Mrs. J. H. Kuhlmann, first vice 
president; Miss Minnie Nixon, second vice president; 

5 



52 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Miss Ida Boggess, third vice president; Miss Edna 
Chadwich, secretary; Miss Lizzie, treasurer, and on 
the following day, January 5th, Mrs. J. H. Kuhlmann 
organized the Junior League with 19 members. 

In addition to the general mid-week prayer meeting, 
the ladies held a woman's prayer service once a week 
from house to house, which was productive of great 
good, so that, about the 15th of January, 1900, there 
was a spiritual quickening in the church, a gracious 
revival which resulted in nine accessions on profession 
of faith and eleven by certificates. Consequently the 
activities of the church were greatly increased. 

John J. Long, Edward Nixon and Charles Starns 
were added to the Board of Stewards on the 23rd of 
March and the official board re-elected for the ensuing 
year. J. Robert Portmess, recording steward, and J. 
T. Chadwich, district steward; George W. Poock, su- 
perintendent of Trinity, and Robert Radclifr", superin- 
tendent of Ridgeley Sunday Schools. 

By the close of the year the salaries and conference 
collections were in full, and the church raised during 
the year $1,419, and had church property worth $2,676. 

The work had taken a vigorous hold on the pastor, 
so that he was intensely interested in establishing the 
church, the kingdom of Christ. 

As the city was growing at the rate of 1,000 a 
year and most of the growth in South Cumberland, a 
part of which was on the south side of the Baltimore 
& Ohio Railroad ; between it and the Potomac River, 
and was known as Walshe's and Humbirds' additions 
with a population of 1,000, where the glass plant, tin 
plate mill, Webers' planing mill, the B. & O. Railroad 
roundhouse and shops were located. Hence, it was but 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARRLAND 



53 



natural for those employed in these enterprises to seek 
residences convenient to their employmnt. 

As the B. & O. Railroad yard was in two sections, 
part lying in what was known as Old Cumberland, 
consisting of a dozen or more tracks, and part in what 
was known as South Cumberland, consisting of sev- 
enteen or more tracks converging into three or four 
tracks at the Virginia Avenue crossing made it an ex- 
ceedingly dangerous crossing for adults, much less 
children. 

And as most of the parents were so engaged that 
they could not attend Sunday School and bring their 
children, and as the crossing was too dangerous for 
the children to attempt to cross there alone, it was 
next to impossible to get many of the children in Sun- 
day School on the hill. 

Although, so far as known, there was only one 
man and three women, or four members of the South- 
ern Methodist Church with one child, in that section 
of the city, nevertheless it seemed to be an open, inviting 
and promising field to Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, so on the 
27th of May, 1900, he rented a room 16 by 18 feet on 
the west side of Virginia Avenue, in Walsh's addition, 
and with the assistance of Miss Edna Chadwich, Miss 
Lizzie Pugh, and Miss Minnie Nixon, all members of 
Trinity Church and Sunday School, he organized Agur 
Chapel Sunday School at 2 p. m., on the fourth Sunday 
of May, 1900. J. H. Kuhlmann, superintendent and 
treasurer ; Miss Edna Chadwick, secretary and 
teacher; Miss Lizzie Pugh and Miss Minnie Nixon, 
teachers, and 25 scholars. 

The next Sunday the number of scholars were 
doubled, there being 50 present. Mrs. Harriet Orn- 



54 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



doff and Mrs. J. R. Donaldson were present and of- 
fered their services and were appointed teachers. 

On the third Sunday the superintendent, five 
teachers and eighty scholars were present. How, in 
the midst of the summer heat, to get them in a room 
16 by 18 feet and seat them on fifty chairs was a prob- 
lem, and from the experience up to that time it was 
natural to conclude that there would be others present 
the next Sunday. Hence, the quarters were inade- 
quate. And as there was no larger room to be gotten, 
the school moved out under some scattered oak trees, 
where the children could sit on logs, stumps or the 
green grass. In six weeks the school had grown to 
150. 

Hence, it was evident that something must be done 
to secure a place for the Sunday School. But as the 
pastor was teaching in Trinity School at 9.30 a. m. 
and preaching there at 11 a. m., superintending Agur 
Chapel Sunday School at 2 p. m., visiting Ridgeley 
Sunday School and preaching at 4 p. m., attending 
Trinity League at 7 p. m., and preaching there at 8 
p. m., his hands were full. 

About this time Rev. B. F. Ball, the Presiding Elder, 
secured Rev. Robert K. Nevitt, a young preacher 
(the son of Rev. Thomas G. Nevitt, a member of the 
Baltimore Annual Conference, M. E. Church, South), 
who was just recovering from a severe attack of ty- 
phoid fever, a vigorous canvas was made and the peo- 
ple showed they were interested in providing for the 
Sunday School in their midst. 

The First Quarterly Conference for the current year 
was held July 9th, 1900. Revs. B. F. Ball, P. E. ; 
J. H. Kuhlmann, P. C. ; Robert K. Nevitt, Jr., M. F. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



55 



Davis, John J. Long, and J. Robert Portmess were 
present. William Henderson was elected superinten- 
dent of Agur Chapel Sunday School, and the follow- 
ing League officers were confirmed: 

Mrs. J. H. Kuhlmann, president ; Miss Minnie Nix- 
on, first vice president ; Mrs. Grace Street, second vice 
president ; Miss Lizzie Pugh, third vice president ; Mrs. 
Annie Allen, treasurer; Miss Edna Chadwich, secre- 
tary, and Miss Clara OrndofT, organist. 

The record shows that Trinity Church was in ex- 
cellent condition, the Sunday Schools were flourishing, 
the Leagues were active, and the Woman's Foreign 
Missionary Society of ten members recently organ- 
ized (in Ren's Nest, the parsonage on Race Street) 
was taking its place among the active forces of the 
church. J. H. Kuhlmann was authorized to lease a lot 
and build a tabernacle for the Agur Chapel Sunday 
School. 

The canvass continued for funds to provide a place 
for the Sunday School, and as the people responded so 
readily and it was evident they would soon need a 
more permanent place than a tabernacle in which to 
hold the Sunday School, so a called Quarterly Confer- 
ence was held July 23rd. Rev. B. F. Ball, P. E. ; Rev. 
J. H. Kuhlmann, P. C. ; Rev. R. K. Nevitt, Jr., Rev. 
Davis, J. J. Long, and Edward Nixon were present. 
At which time J. PL Kuhlmann reported that Lot No. 
231, on Humbird Street, Humbird's Addition, South 
Cumberland, could be leased one year for $10, with 
the privilege of purchasing said lot for $125. The 
lease money payment, to be part of the first payment 
on said lot. 

Whereupon he was authorized to lease said lot with 



56 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



said privileges, which he did. And as there were but 
four members of the church in that section of the 
city, three women and one man, and he away from 
home, the whole matter was placed in the hands of the 
pastor. He decided to build a little chapel 25 by 35 
feet of Gothic style. The work was begun on August 
2d, 1900, by the Twigg brothers hauling the founda- 
tion stone, J. H. Kuhlmann and R. K. Nevitt with 
pick and shovel in hand excavating and laying the 
foundation, and many of the men, as they returned 
from labor, lent a helping hand, so that the foundation 
was built without expense. In the meantime, the car- 
penters were at work and in six days the building was 
on the foundation. 

However, this rapid progress was suddenly inter- 
rupted. Sunday morning, August 5th, was beautiful 
and calm ; but as the day passed it became intensely 
hot and between 4 and 5 p. m. a heavy black cloud 
interlined with peculiar sprays of grayish tinge cov- 
ered the heavens and a terrific storm much like a cy- 
cline passed over Cumberland, in the midst of which 
some houses rocked, others were moved on their foun- 
dation and at least one blown to the ground. 

The storm passed and the 8 p. m. services at Trin- 
ity held, the pastor and his wife having great appre- 
hension as to the consequences that had befallen the 
recently-erected chapel, concluded to stroll in the 
moonlight of Agur, and on reaching there found it 
blown to the ground. 

As they stood gazing on the fallen building, it would 
be difficult to express their feeling of dilemma. Debts 
loomed up before them. No money in the treasury to 
meet former obligations, much less increased expenses. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



57 



No one to finance the enterprise. No one with whom 
to counsel. No time for misgiving thoughts, much 
less questions, that might awaken suspicions on the 
part of the people as to ability or purpose to go on, and 
thus thwart the enterprise. No time to stop. No way 
by which to retrace the steps already taken, but to 
stop. And that could not be done and pay for the 
material already gotten. Besides, the Sunday School 
demonstrated the necessity of the church ; hence, reso- 
lutions strong and steadfast had to be quickly formed, 
for the questions must be answered on the morrow. 

Those who had erected the building were on hand 
early Monday morning and when told it was to be 
taken to pieces and put together again they set about 
it immediately, and, strange to say, there were only 
four pieces of timber broken. 

Some sent their subscriptions without being asked, 
others increased theirs, and others voluntarily sent in 
contributions. So that, instead of the storm being a 
disaster, it was a blessing in disguise. 

The chapel once more on its foundation, the work 
advanced so rapidly that it was virtually enclosed in 
six days. At least sufficient to hold service on August 
12th, 1900. Sunday School at 1 p. m. and preaching 
at 2 p. m. by the pastor, Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann. And 
these services were continued regularly thereafter. 

It was called "Agur" because of the difficulties en- 
countered in its erection. On September 17, 1900, J. 
H. Kuhlmann purchased Lot No. 231, being the same 
lot leased of the "Humbird Land and Improvement 
Company, Cumberland, Alleghany County, Maryland," 
for Agur Chapel, M. E. Church, South. 

And on October 28th, 1900, the pastor opened the 
doors of the church and received Ida M. Messic and 



58 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Maud F. Holtzman by certificate, who became the char- 
ter members of Agur. Robert F. Twigg and Chris- 
tina Twigg were received November 11th by transfer 
from Trinity M. E. Church, South, Grand Avenue. 

At this time Jacob T. Taylor, Robert F. Twigg, 
William Henderson, Millard Rice and George W. 
Holtzman were elected a Board of Trustees, accord- 
ing to the laws of Maryland, for Agur Chapel. 

The chapel held its first Children's Day Service at 
8 p. m., December 27th, 1900. The attendance was 
large, the attention good and the results beneficial. 

According to the records of December 28th, the w r ork 
on the chapel to date cost $800. While the contribu- 
tions toward the same, in labor and material amounted 
to $181.40, and in cash $237.82, making a total of 
$422.22, leaving a balance of $377.78, as indebtedness. 

The Board of Trustees, elected November 11th, was 
confirmed December 28th, 1900, and their names in 
due time written into both "The Charter of Incorpora- 
tion and Deed of Agur Chapel." 

At this time the Trinity Leagues were doing well and 
developing efficient material. And in their December 
meeting elected as officers for the ensuing year: Miss 
Edna Chadwich, president; Mrs. Millard Davis, first 
vice president; Miss Virginia Hammond, second vice 
president ; Miss Lizzie Pugh, third vice president ; 
Miss Ida Boggess, secretary; Miss Minnie Nixon, 
treasurer ; and Mrs. J. H. Kuhlmann, superintendent of 
the Junior League. 

And as the most interesting feature in these details 
must be the steady numerical and spiritual develop- 
ment of the church, it is with pleasure we note a meet- 
ing held in Trinity, January, 1901, resulted in ten ac- 
cessions on profession of faith, and two by certificate. 



IN CUMBERLAND , MARYLAND 



59 



The Charter of Incorporation of Agur Chapel, 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is recorded in 
Liber T. L. No. 3, folio 192, one of the Records of 
Certificates of Incorporation of Alleghany County, 
State of Maryland. 

The Certificate of Incorporation of Agur Chapel, 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Cumberland, Alle- 
ghany County, Maryland, was filed January 15th, 1901. 

"Be it remembered and it is hereby certified, that at a 
meeting of the members of Agur Chapel, of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, South, of the city of Cumber- 
land, in Alleghany County, State of Maryland, above 
the age of twenty-one years old, held on the eleventh 
day of November, 1900, at the church building of the 
congrgation on Humbird Street, in the city of Cum- 
berland, in said County and State. Said meeting held 
after due notice publicly given from the pulpit of 
said church by the pastor, John H. Kuhlmann, accord- 
ing to the usage and custom of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, South. 

"The following named persons, male members of 
said church, and all of whom are citizens of the County 
of Alleghany, State of Maryland, and the United 
States of America, were duly elected as Trustees for 
the said church, to-wit: 

"Jacob T. Taylor, Robert F. Twigg, William R. 
Henderson, George W. Holtzman, and Millard M. 
Rice, together with the preacher in charge and who 
may at any time be in charge of said church in the 
name and behalf of said congregation to be a body 
politic or corporate to hold the estate and property 
of the same until their successors are duly elected and 
qualified. 

"And at the said place, the said members of said 



60 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Agur Chapel, of the M. E. Church, South, in said 
City of Cumberiand, did adopt the following plan or 
regulation as a constitution for the government of said 
corporation of society. 

"Article; 1. 

"The name of this Corporation shall be The Trus- 
tees of Agur Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, of Cumberland, Alleghany County, Maryland. 
And the name of the congregation choosing the same 
is Agur Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
Humbird Street, in Cumberland, Alleghany County, 
Maryland. 

"Article 2. 

"The qualification of an elector shall be as follows. 
Each elector shall be of the age of twenty-one years 
or over and shall be a member of said congregation 
and a contributor to its support, and shall at the time 
of voting be registered as a member of said congrega- 
tion. 

"Article: 3. 

"The Trustees already elected shall serve until the 
next ensuing Fourth Quarterly Conference of said 
church or chapel, from and after which they shall be 
elected annually in the following manner, that is to 
say, the preacher in charge of said church or congre- 
gation shall by virtue of his office be ex officio presi- 
dent of the body corporate, whose duty it shall be to 
call its meetings and at the Fourth Quarterly Confer- 
ence in each year shall nominate at least five persons, 
each of whom shall be at least twenty-one years of age, 
sober and discreet persons, all males, three-fifths of 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



61 



whom shall be members of the M. E. Church, South. 
And the Quarterly Conference of said church or chapel 
shall then and there proceed to elect by a majority vote 
of the members present at least five Trustees. And 
if a vacancy should occur in said Board of Trustees 
by death, resignation or otherwise, it shall be filled in 
the same manner as herein prescribed for the regular 
election of Trustees and at the Quarterly Conference 
next such vacancy has occurred and in event of the 
failure to elect Trustees at any subsequent Quarterly 
Conference all Trustees shall hold their office until 
said successors are elected. And a majority of the 
Trustees elected shall constitute a quorum. 

"The Board of Trustees shall elect their own secre- 
tary and treasurer, whenever it shall be deemed neces- 
sary or expedient. Any two members may call a meet- 
ing in the absence or death of the preacher in charge, 
and the members present, if a quorum, shall elect one 
of their own members chairman of the meeting in his 
stead. 

"Article; 4. 

"The Trustees shall in all respects be amenable to 
the Quarterly Conference of said church or chapel and 
shall perform all their duties in accordance with the 
rules and regulations set forth in the discipline of the 
M. E. Church, South, so long as the same do not con- 
flict with the laws of the State of Maryland or the 
Certificate of Incorporation. 

"Article: 5. 

"All property, real and personal, now vested in the 
Trustees for the use of said church and all other prop- 
erty belonging to the same or that may hereafter be- 



62 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



long to said church or corporation, is and shall be 
vested in said body corporate and its successors for- 
ever and shall be held by them in accordance with the 
terms and conditions for holding such property. Now 
prescribed and that may be from time to time pre- 
scribed in the discipline Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South. 

"Article 6. 

''The Articles of Incorporation and all proceedings 
of said body corporate shall be recorded in a good 
and sufficient book to be preserved and kept for the 
purpose, and shall be subject to the inspection of the 
members of said church from time to time, and shall 
be laid before the Quarterly Conference whenever 
called for by that body. 

"Witness the hands and seals of the minister in 
charge of said church and the said Trustees, this 5th 
day of January, in the year nineteen hundred. 

(Signed) "J. H. Kuhlmann, P. C. ; 
"Millard M. Rice, 
"Robert F. Twigg, 
"Jacob T. Taylor, 
"Geo. W. Holtzman, 
"William Henderson/' 
"I hereby certify that on this fifth day of January, 
in the year nineteen hundred, before me, the sub- 
scriber, a Justice of the Peace of the State of Mary- 
land, in and for Alleghany County, personally appeared 
John H. Kuhlmann, Jacob T. Taylor, Millard M. Rice, 
George W. Holtzman, Robert F. Twigg, and William 
Henderson, and did each acknowledge the foregoing 
Certificate of Incorporation to be their act and deed. 
(Signed) "GEORGE W. GASSMAN, 

"Justice of the Peace." 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 63 



"I, David W. Shaw, Associated Judge of the Fourth 
Judicial Circuit of Maryland, do hereby certify that 
the foregoing certificate has been submitted to me for 
my examination, and I do further certify that the said 
certificate is in conformity with the provisions of the 
law authorizing the formation of said corporation. 

"DANIEL W. SHAW, 
"Associated Judge of the Fourth Judicial 
Circuit of Maryland." 

At the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the current 
year, held March 1st, 1901, J. R. Portmess, M. F. 
Davis, J. T. Chadwich, A. J. Allen, J. J. Long, R. F. 
Twigg, Jacob T. Taylor, Edward Nixon, Daniel C. 
Twigg and Claude Robinson were elected a Board of 
Stewards for the ensuing year; J. Robert Portmess, 
superintendent of Trinity Sunday School; Robert 
Radcliffe, superintendent of Cavalry Sunday School, 
Ridgeley, W. Va. ; and William Henderson, superin- 
tendent of Agur Chapel Sunday School. 

And on motion, Hiram Alkire, Archibald J. Allen, 
Robert A. Radcliffe, Charles A. Deffinbaugh, together 
with the pastor, Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann were elected a 
Board of Trustees for Calvary, Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va. 

As an evidence of the spiritual condition and devel- 
opment of the church at this time, there was a class 
meeting, Ladies' Aid Society, Woman's Foreign Mis- 
sionary Society, a Woman's mid-v/eek prayer meeting, 
three general mid-week prayer meetings, and two 
Leagues. 

The painstaking superintendent of the Junior 
League not only secured regular attendance at the 
Sabbath 3 p. m. service, but also instilled in the chil- 



64 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



dren a joy in helping raise the Conference collections 
and relieving the Indian sufferers. 

The pastor conducted the three mid-week prayer 
meetings, taught at 9.30 a. m. in Trinity Sunday 
School, preached at 11 a. m., superintended or taught 
in Agur Chapel Sunday School at 1 p. m., and preached 
at 2 p. m., attended Calvary Sunday School at 3.30 
p. m., and preached at 4 p. m., returning to Trinity 
and took part in the League at 7 p. m. and preached at 
8 p. m. weekly, so that by the end of the year all real- 
ized the work had become too heavy for one man. 

Great success attending the work on every hand, 
Rev. C. M. Hesser was secured at the Roanoke Con- 
ference and appointed to Cumberland on April 9, 1901, 
as Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann's assistant. 

So the day came when the promised service in the 
center of Cumberland, made years before to the faith- 
ful in that section of the city, could be fulfilled. 

And as there were seventeen members of Trinity 
congregation and as many more Southern Methodists 
living up town or in Old Cumberland, it was decided 
to take steps in that direction at once. One of the 
difficult problems to be solved was securing a suitable 
place for worship, and at the same time not bring a 
financial embarrassment on the congregation. 

In order to establish the appointment, Mr. J. Robert 
Portmess, an active and liberal member, offered to give 
the use of a part of his studio (or photograph gallery) 
in Belvidere Hall, on Baltimore Street, which was 
in the very center of the city. The offer was gladly 
and appreciatively accepted. 

And on Sunday, May 5, 1901, at 9.30 a meeting 
was held in Belvidere Hall, at which time Rev. J. H 
Kuhlmann organized the Belvidere Sunday School 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



65 



(afterward known as Central) with twenty-one mem- 
bers. 

J. Robert Portmess was elected superintendent; 
Geo. Pollock, secretary ; M. R. Adams, treasurer ; Mrs. 
Annie Adams, organist; with the following teachers: 
J. Robert Portmess, Miss Annie Bowen and Miss 
Barbara Duninger. Together with the above-named 
the charter members were John Grayson, Kate Gray- 
son, J. Watson Grayson, Frank O. Grayson, Eugene 
W. Grayson, Meta Grayson, Louise Grayson, Georgie 
Adams, Pauline M. Adams, Russell G. Adams, May 
Leasure, Susie Robinson, Nellie Robinson, Harry Rob- 
inson, Charlie Robinson and Chester Portmess. The 
school closed and Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann preached at 
11 a. m. 

The Cumberland station in three years had grown 
into a circuit of four regular appointments, viz., Agur 
Chapel, Belvidere Hall, Calvary, and Trinity. 

The First Quarterly Conference for the current 
' year 1901-2 met in Trinity, June 24th. Revs. B. F. 
Ball, P. E., J. H. Kuhlmann, P. C, and Rev. C. M. 
Hesser, M. F. Davis, J. T. Chadwich, J. R. Portmess, 
A. J. Allen, J. J. Long, D. C. Twigg and J. T. Taylor 
were present. 

The Presiding Elder's salary having been set by the 
District's stewards meeting at $30, the stewards of 
the charge made an allowance of $600 for the preacher 
in charge and $300 for the assistant. Agur reported 
$11.85, Belvidere $18.75, Calvary $11.35, and Trinity 
$52.04, making a total of $93.99, and paid Revs. B. F. 
Ball $8, J. H. Kuhlmann $55.99, and C. M. Hesser $30. 

On July 4th, 1901, Mrs. Archibald Allen and J. H. 
Kuhlmann succeeded in purchasing a lot 45 by 90 feet, 
for Calvary M. E. Church, South, of Philip Miller 



66 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



and his wife for $150. A prominent and beautiful 
location on the north point of Nobly Mountain, Ridge- 
ley, Mineral County, W. Va., overlooking the Potomac 
River on the west, north and east, and a favorable 
resort of the young people on a hot and sultry Sunday 
afternoon, this put new life and vigor in that appoint 
ment and the work in general. 

The presence and surging of latent forces in the 
Belvidere work was shown by organizing a Woman's 
Home Missionary Society in Miss Annie Bowen's 
home, No. 18 South George Street, Cumberland, Md., 
by electing Mrs. J. H. Kuhlmann, president; Mrs. j. 
Robert Portmess, secretary, and Mrs. Claud Robin- 
son, treasurer. This society immediately took an 
active part in the work. 

However, not long thereafter Mr. J. Robert Port- 
mess, meeting with an opportunity to dispose of his 
interests in Belvidere Hall, did so on Friday, July 19th, 
1901. 

One of the members, Miss Annie Bowen, on hear- 
ing of the transaction, informed the pastor of the 
fact ; and as immediate possession was given it would 
be necessary to secure another place of worship by 
the succeeding Sabbath. 

Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann not only realized the neces- 
sity of promptness in action, but also the importance 
of getting a place as near the center of the city as 
possible, and as the congregation was small and lim- 
tied in means, it seemed prudent to him to get a place 
with as little embarrassment as possible. 

Finding he could secure a room in the Commercial 
Business College on North Centre Street for $1.25 a 
Sunday, or $5 per month, he rented it, and on the 21st 
day of July* 1901, moved the congregation from Bel- 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



67 



videre Hall, Baltimore Street, to the Commercial Col- 
lege, on North Centre Street, where it remained, how- 
ever, only a short while. 

On th 3rd of August, 1901, Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann 
paid $105, balance due on lot 231 for Agur Chapel 
and secured the deed which is recorded in Liber No. 
88, folio 527, one of the deed records of Alleghany 
County, State of Maryland. 

Rev. B. F. Ball, Presiding Elder of the Moorefield 
District, separated the Uptown congregation from the 
rest of the work and placed Rev. C. M. Hesser in 
charge, who on the 18th of August, 1901, moved the 
congregation from the Commercial Business College, 
North Centre Street, to the Jewish Synagoge, on South 
Centre Street. 

In recording the progress of the work, we turn 
again to Agur Chapel : 

"This deed, made this 20th day of August in the 
year nineteen hundred and one, by and between the 
Humbird Land & Improvement Company, of Alle- 
gany County, in the State of Maryland, a corporation 
duly incorporated and organized under the laws of the 
State of Maryland, party of the first part, and the 
trustees of Agur Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, a 
corporation duly incorporated under the laws of the 
State of Maryland, party of the second part. 

"Witnesseth : That the said party of the first part, 
for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred 
and twenty-five dollars ($125) to it in hand paid by 
the party of the second part, the receipt whereof is 
hereby acknowledged, has granted, bargained and sold 
and by these presents does grant, bargain, sell, convey 
and confirm unto the trustees of Agur Chapel M. E. 

6 



68 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Church, South, of Cumberland, Allegany County, 
Maryland, its successors and assigns, all of that cer- 
tain lot or parcel of ground situated and lying in the 
Humbird Land & Improvement Company's Addition 
to the city of Cumberland, Maryland, and which is 
known and designated as Lot No. 231 on the plat of 
the Humbird Land & Improvement Company, which 
is recorded in Liber T. L. and No. 84, folio 67, of the 
land records of Allegany County, and which said lot 
or parcel of ground hereby intended to be conveyed 
is more particularly described as follows : 

"Beginning on the north side of Humbird Street, 
at the end of the first line of Lot No. 230, and run- 
ning thence with said street south fifty-three and one- 
half degrees east thirty feet to an alley and with it 
north thirty-six and one-half degrees east one hun- 
dred and twenty-five feet to an alley and with it north 
fifty-three and one-half degrees west thirty feet to the 
end of the second line of Lot No. 230 and with it re- 
versed, south thirty-six and one-half degrees west one 
hundred and twenty-five feet to the beginning. 

"Together with the rights, ways, privileges and ap- 
purtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise ap- 
pertaining. To have and to hold the above described 
property unto the said party of the second part, its 
successors and assigns, forever, in trust, that said 
premises shall be used, kept, maintained and disposed 
of, as a place of divine worship, for the use of the 
ministry and members of the M. E. Church, South, 
subject to the discipline, usage, and ministerial ap- 
pointments of said church, as from time to time au- 
thorized or declared by the General Conference of said 
church, and by the Annual Conference within whose 
bounds the said premises are situated. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



69 



"And the said party of the first part hereby cove- 
nants with the party of the second part that it will 
warrant specially the property hereby conveyed, and 
execute such other and further assurance of said land 
as may be requisite. 

"And the deed further witnesseth, that the said the 
Humbird Land & Improvement Company does hereby 
constitute and appoint Robert H. Shearer, of the city 
of Cumberland, Md., to be its attorney, for it and in 
its name, and as and for its corporate act and deed, to 
acknowledge this deed before any person having au- 
thority by the laws of the State of Maryland to the 
intent that the same may be duly recorded." 

The above deed has the corporate seal of the said 
the Humbird Land & Improvement Company ; and the 
signatures of J. Wilson Humbird, president, and F. M. 
Offitt, secretary, of the Humbird Land & Improvement 
Company. 

"I hereby certify that on the 20th day of August, 
1901, before me, the subscriber, a justice of the peace 
of the State of Maryland, in and for Allegany County, 
personally appeared Robert H. Shearer, the attorney 
named in the foregoing deed, and by virtue and in 
pursuance of the authority therein conferred upon 
him, acknowledged the said deed to be the act of the 
said the Humbird Land & Improvement Company. 

"J. B. Humbird, 
"Justice of the Peace!' 

About the first of September, 1901, Rev. C. M. 
Hesser went to Randolph College and Rev. James 
Anderson was secured to take charge of the Uptown 
work. He was cordially received and found a com- 
fortable home with Mr. M. R. Adams, on Harrison 
Street. Although not fully recovered from a serious 



70 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



illness, he was alert and active in behalf of the church. 

The Second Quarterly Conference for the current 
year 1901-2 for Agur Chapel, Calvary and Trinity, was 
held in Trinity Church, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, 
Md., September 9th, 1901. Revs. B. F. Ball, P. E., 
J. H. Kuhlmann, P. C, Robert F. Twigg, of Agur 
Chapel ; Archibald J. Allen, Robert J. RadclirT, of Cal- 
vary, Ridgeley, W. Va. ; Jeremiah T. Chadwick, Mil- 
lard F. Davis, of Trinity, were present. Also Rev. 
James Anderson, P. C, of the Uptown congregation, 
and J. Robert Portmess, steward and superintendent 
of the Uptown Sunday School. Agur Chapel reported 
$9.4-5; Calvary, $8.35; Trinity, $99.80; Belvidere, on 
back salary, $34.59 ; total, $152.19 ; and was distrib- 
uted as follows: Rev. B. F. Ball, P. $6.00; Rev. 
J. H. Kuhlmann, $97.05; Rev. C. M. Hesser, Jr., 
$44.14. At which time J. W. Harrison was elected 
superintendent of Trinity Sunday School instead of 
J. Robert Portmess, who was superintendent of the 
Uptown Sunday School. 

The leagues were active, the Sunday schools vig- 
orous and the church awake to the great opporunities 
before it. 

The Calvary congregation, having purchased a lot, 
was anxious to have a church of their own, with more 
conveniences and comforts, in which to worship, and 
the Quarterly Conference, being thoroughly convinced 
of the importance of erecting a church in Ridgeley, 
W. Va., on motion, Archibald J. Allen, Robert Rad- 
cliffe, Charles W. Deffinbaugh were elected a Building 
Committee, to build Calvary Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, in Ridgeley, W. Va. 

In the course of events our narrative turns to Agur 
Chapel, on which the work steadily moved forward 



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IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



71 



during the spring and summer months of 1901. And 
now being completed, as the garnet and golden leaves 
lent a rich enchantment to the forest and the crispy 
air of autumn gave each new vigor, renewed inspira- 
tion came with the coming of Rev. Samuel K. Cox, 
D. D., of Harrisonburg, Va., who preached the dedi- 
catory sermon at 11 a. m., September 22d, 1901. 

After which he announced there was a small indebt- 
edness of $100 on Agur Chapel, and asked the congre- 
gation to liquidate the same, in order to dedicate it. 
This amount was raised by cash and good subscription 
in a few minutes. Then he set the church apart from 
all common usage, and for the ministration of the word 
and holy purposes. 

Thus the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, built 
its second church in Cumberland, Md., without debt 
or any encumbrance, within four years. 

As we turn to Calvary, we find the recently ap- 
pointed Building Committee enlisting others to assist 
them in securing the subscription for building the 
church; and in a very short time they secured a suf- 
ficient amount to guarantee success in the enterprise 
And after carefully investigating the cost of material, 
the committee decided to build a church 25 by 35 feet 
of Gothic architecture, with recess pulpit, the founda- 
tion walls of stone, the exterior side of the church walls 
of red brick, and the interior walls of white enameled 
brick, with gold tinsel and slate roof. 

In excavating, the committee found it had a valua- 
ble stone quarry, from which a stone was taken two 
feet square and eight feet long, and by only moving 
it a few inches it was placed in the foundation wall 
of Calvary Church. Many other beautiful stones lay 
in the foundation of which the walls were built. 



72 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



A stone mason by trade, in passing and seeing the 
valuable building material that would be covered up 
by the church, offered to build the walls of the church 
as well as the foundation without charge, if the com- 
mittee would wait with him until the succeeding spring 
to erect the building, and give him balance of the stone. 

But as the committee was anxious to have the church 
completed before the coming of the ensuing Confer- 
ence, they felt they could not accept the offer, and as 
the material was at hand, they thought it would not be 
difficult to get the stone out, nor take long to place them 
in the wall, and hence decided to go right to work, 
hoping to get through before winter set in. 

The excavation completed, the foundation walls 
built and the material on the ground to build the walls 
of the church, the cornerstone of Calvary Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., was laid 
by the pastor in the presence of a few members of the 
church on the 9th of November, 1901, in the midst 
of a bleak wind and snow storm. 

The services were simple, consisting of placing a 
few articles in the stone, singing Hymn No. 692. "On 
this stone now laid," prayer by Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann 
and by the use of the beautiful ritual of the M. E. 
Church, South, and singing Hymn No. 689, "Christ 
Is Made the Sure Foundation." The services closed, 
with a strong anticipation that the church would soon 
be erected. Work began on it immediately, and the 
walls were built up to the windows, and they set in, 
when a severe winter stopped all work, until the com- 
ing of the spring. 

On Sunday, November 17th, 1901, Rev. James M. 
Anderson organized First Church (after known as 
Central) in the Jewish Synagogue on South Center 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



73 



Street, with the following charter members : M. R. 
Adams Mrs. Annie Adams, Mrs. Jennie Crawford, 
F. M. Craner, John S. Grayson, Kate S. Grayson, 
Frank O. Grayson, J. Watson Grayson, Wilber Myers, 
J. Robert Portmess, Mrs. Annie Page Smith. 

Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann held Trinity Church Confer- 
ence after religious services on December 15th, 1901, 
and the following day Rev. B. F. Ball held Agur, Cal- 
vary and Trinity Quarterly Conference, in Trinity 
Church, Grand Avenue. Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, P. C, 
Robert F. Twigg, Jacob T. Taylor of Agur, Archibald 
Allen, Robert Radcliff" of Calvary and J. W. Harrison 
of Trinity were present. Agur reported $13.95, Cal- 
vary $18.50 and Trinity $53.35. 

At the same time the League officers elected Decem- 
ber 5th, were confirmed, viz : J. W. Harrison, presi- 
dent ; Mrs. Jeremiah Chadwich, first vice president ; 
Miss Ellen Liller, second vice president; Miss Edna 
Chadwich, third vice president ; Miss Heron, secretary ; 
Miss Minnie Nixon, treasurer; Miss Clara Orndoff, 
organist, and Mrs. J. H. Kuhlmann, the efficient super- 
intendent of the Junior League, who by scriptural 
drills, prayers and songs was fitly preparing its mem- 
bers for fields of greater usefulness. 

The Fourth Quarterly Conference of the charge for 
the current year met on the 18th of March, 1902, at 
which time Robert F. Twigg, Jacob T. Taylor, Archi- 
bald J. Allen, Millard F. Davis, Jeremiah T. Chadwich, 
J. J. Long, Daniel C. Twigg and William Peters were 
elected stewards and William Henderson, Robert J. 
Radcliff and John W. Harrison Sunday School super- 
intendents for the ensuing year. 

Agur reported $81.04, Calvary $31.56 and Trinity 
$158.99, which paid the salaries of the Presiding El- 



74 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



cler and preacher in charge in full, and the Conference 
assessments were also in full. 

The charge had two churches valued at $4,200 and 
personal property worth $180, and owned Trinity par- 
sonage site and a church lot in Ridgeley, W. Va., both 
free of debt, and had much of the material on the 
ground for the erection of Calvary Church, Ridgeley, 
W. Va., and carried $2,300 of insurance on the 
churches. 

CALENDAR OF SERVICE, 1901. 
Agur Chapel. 
Class meeting at 10 a. m., Sunday School at 1 p. m., 
and preaching at 2 p. m., and prayer meeting Tuesday, 
7 p. m. 

Calvary. 

Sunday School at 3 p. m., preaching at 4 p. m., and 
prayer meeting Wednesday at 7 p. m. 

Trinity. 

Sunday School at 9.30 a. m., preaching at 11 a. m. 
and 8 p. m., Junior League at 3 p. m., Senior League 
at 7 p. m., and prayer meeting, Thursday at 7 f>. m. 

Owing to the time limit, Rev. B. F. Ball and Rev. 
J. H. Kuhlmann at the ensuing Conference were moved 
to other fields of service. 

Although Belvidere congregation, later called First 
Church, located in the center of Cumberland, Md., was 
encompassed by many difficulties, nevertheless, under 
the pastorate of Rev. C. M. Hesser and Rev. James 
Anderson, it forged ahead, with a Woman's Home Mis- 
sionary Society, Epworth League, and Sunday School 
that more than doubled itself the first year and formed 
a society of thirty-five members, and became a full- 
fledged church. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Central and Calvary. 

The Baltimore Annual Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, held in Trinity Church, 
Baltimore, Maryland, in 1902, rearranged the Cum- 
berland work, making one charge consist of Trinity 
Church and Agur Chapel and the other of Calvary, 
Ridgeley, W. Va., and First Church Cumberland, Md., 
changing the last named church to Central. 

On April 1, 1902, Rev. J. T. Williams was appointed 
Presiding Elder of the Moorefield District, and re- 
mained on the same the ensuing quadrennium, and at 
the same time and place Rev. S. K. Cox, D. D., a pol- 
ished scholar and sweet-spirited Christian, was ap- 
pointed to Central and Calvary. He found Central a 
little band of thirty-five members in the Jewish Syna- 
gogue on South Center and Union Streets, unable to 
pay the incidental expenses. So that his first act was 
to secure the assemblage chamber in the Market House 
hall, and moved Central congregation there. 

The Calvary congregation was worshipping in the 
Ridgeley public school house, which necessarily from 
its construction was inconvenient; and while much 
of the material for building Calvary Church was on 
the ground, and the wall built up to the windows, 
nevertheless, as the walls were left unprotected and 
the winter extremely severe, much of them had to be 
taken down and rebuilt. 

Although Dr. S. K. Cox was more than four score 
years of age, he took hold of this infant struggling 



75 



76 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



enterprise and with marked activity speedily pushed 
it to completion. 

The First Quarterly Conference for the current 
year of Central Charge was held in J. Robert Portmess' 
studio, in Cumberland, on April 25th, 1902. Rev. 
J. T. Williams, Presiding Elder, conducted religious 
services, after which John S. Grayson was elected 
secretary and the following persons were present : Dr. 
S. K. Cox, P. C. ; J. Robert Portmess, W. E. Fradee, 
John S. Grayson, and Archibald J. Allen. 

The above named laymen, together with Robert Rad- 
cliff, were elected a Board of Stewards ; J. Robert 
Portmess, recording steward and superintendent of 
Central Sunday School, and A. Robert Radclifl, su- 
perintendent of Calvary Sunday School, Ridgeley, 
W. Va. 

The Official Board accepted the District Steward's 
assessment of $45 on the Presiding Elder's salary and 
set their pastor's salary at $500. Then looking into 
the future and believing they were going to establish 
the church, proceeded to the election of a Board of 
Trustees for Central Church, consisting of W. E. Fra- 
zee, J. Robert Portmess, John S. Grayson, David Beall, 
Claude Robinson, Dr. James T. Johnson and Archibald 
J. Allen. 

Of the work, Dr. S. K. Cox said: "The Sunday 
Schools are well organized and steadily growing, and 
since getting into other quarters there has been a great 
improvement in the attendance upon the Sabbath serv- 
ice at Central." He thought he had secured option on 
Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church on South Center 
and Ulnion Streets, formerly owned by his own de- 
JnQmination, but in this he failed. However, the 
onward step of the church was marked. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



77 



The following Senior Epworth League officers of 
Central were confirmed July 7, 1902 : Miss Emma 
Wilson, president ; Miss Barbara Dellinger, first vice 
president ; Miss E. Endsley, second vice president ; 
Miss May Leasure, third vice president ; Miss Lillian 
Frazee, secretary; Miss Susie Robinson, treasurer; 
Mrs. J. Robert Portmess, organist. 

As over the last-born babe in hoary age the pastor 
with parental care watched over and guided the inter- 
ests of Calvary Church, and as her walls grew to their 
full height, with roof on, windows in, and floor laid, 
there was cheer in many a heart. Rev. J. H. Kuhl- 
man, who projected the enterprise, was invited to 
preach the dedicatory sermon. From the time, August 
12th, 1902, was set for the day of dedication every 
energy was exerted in order that it might be complete 
and ready for the occasion ; even the pastor laid aside 
his beaver and broadcloth, and worked with his hands 
like a laborer. 

Like Mount Zion of old, "beautiful for situation," 
Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Ridgeley, 
W. Va., stood on the north point of Nobly Mountain, 
overlooking the Potomac River on the west, north and 
east, and in full view not only of all Ridgeley, but most 
of Cumberland, Maryland, as well. 

It is 25 by 35 feet with recess pulpit and is of Gothic 
architecture. The foundation walls are built of beau- 
tiful stone from two to eight feet long and often two 
feet wide and thick, all taken from the foundation. 
The exterior walls of the church are built of red brick, 
while the interior is of white porcelain brick, penciled 
with gold tinsel. The wood work is of choice grained 
wood, hard oiled. The pew ends, pulpit, furniture, 
and altar all correspond. It is a gem. 



78 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Rev. C. H. Cannon, pastor of Trinity and Agur 
Chapel, withdrew his appointments for the day in order 
that he and others might attend and participate in the 
dedication. 

Sunday, August 12th, 1902, was a beautiful mid- 
summer day, so that representatives from Central, 
Trinity and Agur Chapel, together with the people of 
Ridgeley, filled the house at an early hour. 

The pastor, Dr. S. K. Cox, Rev. C. H. Cannon of 
Cumberland, Md. ; and Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann of Mid- 
dleburg, Va., occupied the pulpit and all took part in 
the morning services. Promptly at 11 a. m. Rev. J. H. 
Kuhlmann preached the dedicatory sermon from John 
10 :10 : "I am come that they might have life, and that 
they might have it more abundantly." After which 
Dr. Cox announced that there was an indebtedness 
of $850 on the church building and asked for liberal 
contributions in order to liquidate the same. And on 
receiving in cash and subscription $500, the balance 
being so small he dedicated the church and dismissed 
the congregation. 

The Sunday School held service in the afternoon 
which showed plainly there was a great possibility 
ahead of the church. At 8 p. m. Rev. C. H. Cannon 
preached an eloquent sermon to a crowded house. 

It was a great day to those deeply interested and 
who had invested their labor, means and prayers in 
the Master's cause. They felt permanently established, 
and with comfortable quarters in which to worship, 
confident of further perfecting the organization of the 
church. 

The dedication was followed by a series of meetings 
which resulted in several conversions and accessions 



Calvary M. E. Church South 
Ridgely, West Va. 
Dedicated August 15, 1902 
Rev. S. K. Cox, Pastor 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 79 



to the church, and spread an excellent influence 
through the community. 

With the comforts and conveniences of the new 
church, activity was perceptible along all lines. We 
note the organization of a Senior Epworth League in 
Calvary with twenty-five members, by electing Wil- 
lard Everstine, president; Mrs. Annie Allen, first vice 
president; George Harrison, second vice president; 
Mrs. May Twigg, third vice president; Miss Bernice 
Everstine, secretary, and A. Robert Radcliff, treasurer. 
By the first of October the Sunday School nearly 
doubled itself. 

The success attending the efforts at Calvary not only 
filled her with enthusiasm, but caused Central to deter- 
mine to continue her struggle until she, too, should 
have a comfortable church. 

The charge had a Woman's Home Missionary So- 
ciety with 23 members, which raised $27, two Leagues 
with 57 members, two Sunday Schools with 15 officers 
and teachers, and 148 scholars, two congregations with 
a membership of 89, who paid the Presiding Elder $45 
and the preacher in charge $526 and raised for all pur- 
poses $1,800,, had one church valued at $2,000 and 
carried $1,500 insurance on it, with an indebtedness of 
only $350 ; hence, the year ended well. However, those 
in authority felt the labors were too great for one of 
Dr. Cox's years, but as strenuous or laborious as they 
were, they must be done ; therefore they decided to give 
him another field and place a younger man in Cumber- 
land. 



CHAPTER X. 



Trinity and Agur Chapels. 

In 1902 Rev. C. H. Cannon was appointed to Trin- 
ity and Agur Chapel, Cumberland, Md., where he re- 
mained the ensuing quadrennium. Being a single man, 
the parsonage furniture was stored, and he was pro- 
vided with comfortable quarters in the home of Mr. 
Jeremiah T. Chadwich, on the corner of Grand Ave- 
nue and Fourth Street. Although mindful of many 
difficulties to be encountered, he was full of zeal for 
the Master's cause and looked upon his field of labor, 
now white unto the harvest, with great aspiration, and 
put forth his best efforts to win precious souls for the 
Lord. 

The First Quarterly Conference was held in Trin- 
ity Church, Grand Avenue, on the 28th of April, 1902. 
Rev. J. T. Williams, P. E. ; Rev. C. H. Cannon, P. C. ; 
J. T. Chadwich, M. F. Davis, D. C. Twigg, W. D. 
Peters, J. J. Long, J. W. Harrison, and Robert F. 
Twigg were present. The Presiding Elder's salary 
having been set by the District Stewards at $40, was 
accepted and the Trinity Stewards set their pastor's 
salary at $400, while Agur Chapel Stewards made an 
allowance of $200, making the salary of the preacher 
in charge $600. 

As the year passed along, Rev. C. H. Cannon real- 
ized more and more that the burdens and cares in so 
complete a cosmopolitan community was more than 
he could bear alone, and that he needed one in whom 



80 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



81 



he could confide, and with whom he could counsel, 
and who would cheer him in the hours of discourage- 
ment, and having found such an elect lady, Rev. C. H. 
Cannon of Cumberland, Md., and Miss Grace Mc- 
Luckie of Frostburg, Md., were united in holy matri- 
mony by Rev. J. T. Williams, Presiding Elder of the 
Moorefield District, on the 9th of July, 1902. 

On his return the work continued in its onward 
course, both church buildings were improved, and the 
quickening power of the Divine Spirit manifested it- 
self by the ingathering of 77 on profession of faith 
and by certificate. At the official meeting, on the 24th 
of January, 1903, O. T. Deal, R. S. Talley and J. W. 
Noland were added to the re-elected Board of Stew- 
ards, and James T. Gross elected superintendent of 
Agur Chapel Sundya School. 

Inasmuch as Rev. C. H. Cannon had married dur- 
ing the previous year, the official board recognized his 
needs were greater and at the Conference held in Agur 
Chapl on 9pril 11, 1903, advanced his salary to $700. 
But as the work continued steadily developing, and as 
evidence of their appreciation of his labors and their 
increased ability, paid him $744, and all assessments in 
full. The only change in the official board was the 
election of William Henderson superintendent of Agur 
Chapel Sunday School. 

Another gracious revival attended Rev. Cannon's 
ministry during the summer of 1904, there being 27 
professions of faith and as many accessions at Trinity, 
21 conversions at Agur Chapel and as many added to 
the church. These and similar meetings kept a glow 
on the altar of the church, gave inspiration to the fold, 
and attracted sinners to the house of the Lord. 

For a long while Trinity, Cumberland, Md., had left 



82 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



a deep-rooted desire to have a parsonage, and as this 
sentiment was growing, on June 6th, 1904, the great 
needs of a parsonage was presented and discussed, 
which resulted in the election of a Building Committee 
consisting of Rev. C. H. Cannon, J. T. Chadwich, M. 
F. Davis, J. J. Long, H. S. Long and Robert Twigg, 
who were authorized to build a parsonage on Lot No. 
114, said lot adjoining Lot No. 115, on which Trinity 
M. E. Church, South, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, 
Md., stands, and purchased for thtit purpose in 1898 
by Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann. 

The Building Committee having decided to build a 
brick veneered frame house with slate roof, immedi- 
ately set about laying plans, gathering material and 
superintending the work. The people were pleased 
with the idea of having a home for their pastor, and 
when their long pent-up desires were given an op- 
portunity to assert themselves they manifested great 
interest in the parsonage, so that by the 24th of Au- 
gust, 1904, the foundation walls were completed at a 
cost of $256.15. 

Miss Ida Boggess, who succeeded Mrs. J. H. Kuhl- 
mann as superintendent of Trinity Junior League, in 
1902, was succeeded by Miss Edna Chadwich, on the 
24th of October, 1904, which position she has continu- 
ously held to the present time. 

The record shows that Rev. C. H. Cannon held 
Trinity Church Conference on the 19th of January, 
1905, and transacted such business as pertaineth to 
that body. 

The new parsonage, by the side of Trinity Church 
on Grand Avenue, Cumberland, has on the first floor 
a front veranda, reception hall, parlor, library, dining 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



83 



room, with china closet, kitchen with pantry, back 
porch, open- front and closed-^back stairway. There 
are three bedrooms, study and bath on the second floor, 
with a play-room for children on the third floor, and 
was christened by the presence of the Quarterly Con- 
ference, held in it April 14th, 1905. Rev. J. T. Wil- 
liams, P. E. ; Rev. C. H. Cannon, P. C. ; M. F. Davis. 
R. F. Twigg, D. C. Twigg, J. J. Long, H. S. Long, 
J. W. Nolan d, and Wilber Hardy (who were elected 
Trustees) were present 

Again the refreshing presence of the Lord mani- 
fested itself at Trinity by quickening the members and 
causing 11 persons to make profession of faith, with 
as many additions to the church. This influence 
spread to Agur and resulted in 9 accessions and the 
organization of a Woman's Home Missionary Society 
of 13 members. About this time we note they paid 
$146.58 on the parsonage debt. 

After religious services conducted by Rev. J. T. 
Williams, P. E., at Agur, January 11th, 1906, B. C. 
Cheshier was elected Trustee of Agur Chapel instead 
of William Henderson, resigned. The official board 
was re-elected and Charles Schaffer elected superin- 
tendent of Agur Chapel Sunday School for the ensu- 
ing year, and the League officers, consisting of Miss 
Cora Twigg, president ; Miss B. Flood, first vice presi- 
dent ; Miss Brook, second vice president ; Miss Lizzie 
Pugh, third vice president; Miss Maud Heron, secre- 
tary; Klide Burkheart, treasurer, and Miss Jessie 
Twigg, organist, with Miss Edna Chadwich, superin- 
tendent of the Junior League, were confirmed. 

The growth of the church may be seen from the 
fact that at that time the charge had a Woman's 

7 



84 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Home Missionary Society of 13 members, a Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society of 23 members, two 
Leagues with 102 members, two Sunday Schools with 
51 officers and teachers and an enrollment of 331 
scholars, and 406 church members ; personal property 
valued at $300, and two churches valued at $4,300, free 
of debt, and a new parsonage just built at a cost of 
$3,280, with an indebtedness of $1,800, and carried an 
insurance of $3,800, and from its organization to the 
present — 1906 — paid its salaries and Conference as- 
sessments annually in full. 



CHAPTER XL 



Central and Calvary. 

In 1903 the Baltimore Annual Conference, M. E. 
Church, South, met at Fredericksburg, Va., on the 
25th, and concluded its session on the 31st day of 
March, at which time Rev. J. C. Jeter was appointed to 
Central, Cumberland, Md., and Calvary, Ridgeley, W. 
Va. A little company full of aspirations awaited his 
arrival and kindly received him. From the beginning 
it was evident that there would be a happy blending 
between pastor and people. 

The gathering of people into the city was very per- 
ceptible at this particular time, even to a stranger, so 
he soon grasped the situation ; and although he realized 
there were stubborn difficulties along his pathway. 
Nevertheless, his heart and soul was thrilled with the 
opportunity of establishing our beloved Zion there, in 
order that we might have a permanent place of wor- 
ship and part in the evangelistic work of the city, and 
the salvation of the people. 

His people, too, though few in number and limited 
in means, were anxious to have their own vine and fig 
free — a place of divine worship. Hence, at the first 
Quarterly Conference, held April 13th, 1903, in J. 
Robert Portmess' studio after religious services, con- 
ducted by Presiding Elder Rev. J. T. Williams, J. 
Robert Portmess was elected secretary and recording 
steward, "and on roll call the following answered to 



85 



86 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



their names : Rev. J. C. Jeter, P. C. ; W. E. Frazee, 
John S. Grayson, A. J. Allen, Robert A. Radcliff and 
J. Robert Portmess. After which the Presiding El- 
der's salary was set at $10 and the pastor's at $500. 
Then the conditions of the work were reviewed and 
it was unanimously agreed that the time had come 
when some more definite and progressive steps must 
be taken to secure a place of divine worship. And on 
motion, Rev. J. C. Jeter, J. Robert Portmess, John S. 
Grayson, W. E. Frazee, and Dr. James T. Johnson 
were elected a purchasing or building committee, to 
purchase or build a house of worship for Central con- 
gregation, Cumberland, Md. 

This was by no means an easy task, especially in a 
town hemmed in by hills and mountains, riven by 
railroads, canal, and river ; nevertheless, the committee 
set about its work with an eagle's eye and a herculean 
determination. 

On the fourth day of May, 1903, W. E. Frayzee, 
J. Robert Portmess, J. S. Grayson, David Beall, Claude 
E. Robinson, James T. Johnson, and Archibald J. Al- 
len were duly elected a body corporate to hold property 
and manage the same for Central M. E. Church, South, 
in the city of Cumberland, Md., and on the 11th day 
of July, 1903, Rev. Jerry C. Jeter, at public auction, 
purchased the Ohr property on South Georgia 
Street, Cumberland, Md., for $3,980, of Albert A. 
Doub and D. Lindley Stran, duly authorized Trustees 
for the same. Subsequently Jerry C. Jeter, together 
with Bessie Hartwell Jeter, his wife, Albert A. Doub 
and D. Lindley Stran transferred the same property to 
the Trustees of Central M. E. Church, South, Cum- 
berland, Md. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



87 



The Building Committee, realizing the responsibili- 
ties resting on them, desired an additional member. 
Hence, Claud E. Robinson was elected and added to 
that committee, November 19th, 1903. 

At the Quarterly Conference, held January 24, 1904, 
the Official Board of Central and Calvary were re- 
elected, except Robert Radcliff, who was succeeded 
by Willard Everstine, superintendent of Calvary Sun- 
day School. Thomas Vansant was added to the Board 
of Stewards, and the following Epworth League offi- 
cers were confirmed : 

Central League — E. W. Grayson, president ; Mrs. J. 
C. Jeter, first vice president ; Miss Hattie Endsley, sec- 
ond vice president; Mrs. E. W. Grayson, third vice 
president ; F. H. Grimm, secretary ; Mrs. Mary Alkire, 
treasurer, and Mrs. J. Robert Portmess, organist. 

Calvary League — Charles Deffinbaugh, president; 
Willard Everstine, first vice president ; Mrs. A. J. Al- 
len, second vice president ; George Harrison, secretary, 
and Mrs. F. Hadra, treasurer. 

That real and substantial progress crowned the ef- 
forts of the church may be seen in securing the char- 
ter of incorporation of Central Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, Cumberland, Md., which may be found 
in No. 4, folio 157, one of the Records of Certificates 
of Incorporations of Alleghany County, State of Mary- 
land. And the deed to the church property was as 
follows : 

"CERTIFICATION OF INCORPORATION 
of the Trustees of Central Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, of Cumberland, Maryland: 
"Be it remembered, and it is hereby certified, that 
at a meeting of the members above twenty-one years 

VA 



S8 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



of age of the congregation of Central Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, South, of Cumberland, Alleghany 
County, State of Maryland, duly called by public an- 
nouncement made from the pulpit of its church at the 
northeast corner of South Center and Union Streets 
in said city, and held in said church on the fourth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and 
three, according to the known custom and usage of 
said church, the following named, discreet and sober 
persons, that is to say, William Frazee, Jacob R. Port- 
mess, John S. Grayson, David W. Beall, Claud E. 
Robinson, James T. Johnson, citizens of said State, 
residing in said county and city, and Archibald J. 
Allen, a citizen of the State of West Virginia, resid- 
ing in Mineral County, therein, all adults and all citi- 
zens of the United States, were duly elected to the end 
that upon being registered as directed by Article XXII, 
of the public General Laws of Maryland. Its title is 
Corporation and its sub-title is Religious Corporation. 
They, together with J. Camden Jeter, minister for the 
time being of said church, shall be constituted a body 
politic or corporate to act as Trustees in the name and 
behalf of said church, and to manage the estate, prop- 
erty, interest and inheritance of the same, until their 
successors are duly elected and qualified. 

"It is further certified that, at said meeting, the fol- 
lowing plans, agreement or regulations were deter- 
mined on. 

"Article 1. 

"The name of the body politic or corporate to act 
in the name and behalf of the church shall be The 
Trustees of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



89 



South, of Cumberland,' and the name of the congrega- 
tion or church choosing the same is 'Central Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, of Cumberland/ 

"Article II. 

"Every person who shall be at the time of voting a 
regular member of said congregation, a contributor to 
its support, and above twenty-one years of age, shall 
be qualified to vote at elections of Trustees. Any male 
registered member of said congregation, being a con- 
tributor to its support, a sober and discreet person, 
above twenty-one years of age, shall be eligible as one 
of the Trustees. 

"Article III. 

"The Trustees elected as aforesaid and hereinbefore 
nrimed shall serve until the next ensuing first Quarterly 
Conference of said church, or until their successors 
are elected and qualified, as the case may be; and 
thenceforth the Trustees shall be elected at each first 
Quarterly Conference in the manner following, that 
is to say : The preacher in charge, or in his absence, 
the Presiding Elder, shall nominate at least seven 
qualified persons, and the seven of them receiving the 
highest number of votes of the members of said Con- 
ference present shall, together with the minister for 
the time being, be the Trustees and shall serve as such 
from the date of their election until the election and 
qualification of their successors. 

"Any vacancy shall be filled in the manner prescribed 
for the election of Trustees, and at the Quarterly Con- 
ference next succeeding the vacancy. 



90 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



"Article IV. 

"The minister for the time being shall be ex-officio 
president of the Board of Trustees, a majority of 
whom shall constitute a quorum. He shall call and 
preside at their meetings. In his absence any two 
Trustees may call a meeting, at which, if a quorum be 
present, they may elect a chairman pro tern and pro- 
ceed with the transaction of business. 

"Article V. 

"The Trustees shall in all respects be amenable to 
the Quarterly Conference of said church, and shall 
perform all their duties in accordance with the rules 
and regulations contained in the discipline of the M. 
E. Church, South, and agreeable to the laws of the 
State of Maryland. 

"Article VI. 

"All property, real, personal and mixed, that is now 
owned or that may be hereafter acquired by said 
church, is and shall be vested in said body politic or 
corporate, and its successors, to be held by it in ac- 
cordance with the terms and conditions now prescribed 
or that may from time to time be prescribed in the 
discipline of the M. E. Church, South. 

"Article VII. 

"These Articles of Incorporation and the plan, agree- 
mentment or regulation and all the proceedings of said 
body politic or corporate, shall be entered and regis- 
tered in a good and sufficient Record Book, which shall 
be provided and kept for the purpose, subject at all 
times to the inspection of the several members of said 
church; and the same shall be laid before a public 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



91 



hmeeting when required by any five or more of the 
members, and before the Quarterly Conference, when 
called for by that body." 

The above Certificate of Incorporation is signed 
by Rev. J. Camden Jeter, the pastor, at that time, W. 
E. Frayzee, Jacob R. Portmess, John S. Grayson, 
David W. Beall, Claud E. Robinson, James T. John- 
son, and Archibald J. Allen, Trustees. 

"I hereby certify that, on the 25th of January, 1904, 
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace of the 
State of Maryland, in and for Alleghany County, the 
aforesaid personally appeared, J. Camden Jeter, W. 
E. Frayzee, David W. Beall, J. R. Portmess, John S. 
Grayson, C. E. Robinson, James T. Johnson, and A. J. 
Allen, Trustees as hereinbefore set forth, and did each 
acknowledge the foregoing Certificate and plan, agree- 
ment and regulation as their respective act and deed 
and also in the name and behalf of Central M. E. 
Church, South, of Cumberland, Md. 

"CHARLES H. WOLFORD, 

"Justice of the Peace." 

And it is further evidenced by : 
"I, Robert R. Henderson, one of the Judges of the 
Fourth Judicial Circuit of the State of Maryland, do 
hereby certify that the foregoing certificate, plan, 
agreement or regulation have been submitted to me for 
examination, and I do certify that the same are in con- 
formity with the provisions of the laws authorizing the 
formation of said corporation. 

"ROBERT R. HENDERSON, 
"Associated Judge of the Fourth Judicial 
Circuit of the State of Maryland." 



92 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



The deed of the Ohr property, on South George 
Street, Cumberland, Maryland, may be found recorded 
in Liber No. 94, folio No. 419, one of the Land Rec- 
ords of Alleghany County, Cumberland, Maryland, to- 
wit : 

"This deed, made this twenty-seventh day of Janu- 
ary, in the year nineteen hundred and four, by and 
between D. Lindley Stran and Albert A. Doub, Trus- 
tees, as hereinafter set forth, and Jerry C. Jeter and 
Bessie Hartwell Jeter, his wife, of the city of Cum- 
berland, Maryland, parties of the first part, and the 
Trustees of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, of Cumberland, a body corporate of the State 
of Maryland, party of the second part ; 

"Whereas, by a decree of the Circuit Court of Alle- 
ghany County, dated the sixteenth day of June, nine- 
teen hundred and three, and passed in a cause in said 
court defending, wherein Virginia C. Sniverley and 
others were plaintiffs, and Theodore Stevens and 
others were defendants, it being No. 5369 Equity, the 
above named Albert A. Doub and D. Lindley Stran 
were duly appointed Trustees, with authority to sell 
the real estate in the proceedings in the said cause 
mentioned. 

"And whereas, after having given bond and com- 
plied with all other requirements of the decree, the 
said Trustees did sell, on the eleventh day of July, 
nineteen hundred and three, hereinafter described, to 
the said Jerry C. Jeter, at public auction for the sum 
of three thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars 
($3,980), which said sale was duly reported to and 
on the twentieth day of August, 1903, was finally rati- 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



93 



fied by said court, and the purchase money fully paid 
to the said Trustees. 

"And whereas, the said Jerry C. Jeter has since said 
sale, sold said property to said party of the second 
part, and with his wife, joined in with this deed for 
the purpose of conveying all his right, title and inter- 
est therein to said party of the second part. 

"Now therefore, this deed witnesseth that, in con- 
sideration of the premises and of the sum of one 
dollar, the said Albert D. Doub and D. Lindley Stran, 
Trustees as aforesaid, and the said Jerry C. Jeter and 
Bessie Hartwell Jeter, his wife, do grant and convey 
unto the said 'The Trustees of Central Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, South, of Cumberland,' all the right, 
title and interest of all the parties to the aforesaid 
cause in and to all that lot or parcel of land situated 
at the corner of George Street and Dilley Alley, in the 
city of Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, 
which was conveyed to Mary Ohr by Willis F. Trip- 
lett and Rachel Triplett, his wife, by deed dated the 
16th day of October, 1867, and recorded among the 
Land Records of Allegany County, Maryland, in Liber 
No. 26, folio 503, and therein described as follows: 

"Beginning at the intersection of Commerce (now 
called George Street) and Dilley Alley, said point 
being on the west side of said street, and on the south 
side of said alley, and running with said street south 
17% degrees east 54*^ feet, then at right angles to 
this line, south 72%> degrees 58 feet, then at right 
angles to last line north 17*^ degrees west 54^ feet 
to said alley, and then with said alley north 72% de- 
grees east 58 feet to the beginning on said Commerce 
Street. 



94 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



"Together with the improvements thereon and the 
rights and appurtenances thereto belonging or in any 
wise appertaintaining, to have and to hold the above 
property unto the said The Trustees of Central Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, South, of Cumberland,' in 
trust, that said premises shall be kept, maintained, and 
disposed of, as a place of divine worship for the use 
of the ministry and members of the M. E. Church, 
South, subject to the discipline, usage and ministerial 
appointments of said church, as from time to time 
authorized and declared by the General Conference 
of said church, and by the Annual Conference within 
whose bounds the said premises are situated." 

The foregoing deed is signed by Albert D. Doub 
and D. Lindley Stran, as Trustees, and Jerry C. Jeter 
and Bessie Hartwell Jeter. 

"I hereby certify that on this 27th day of January, 
1904, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace 
of the State of Maryland, in and for Allegany County, 
personally appeared Albert A. Doub and D. Lindley 
Stran, the above Trustees, and Jerry C. Jeter and Bes- 
sie Hartwell Jeter, his wife, and did each acknowl- 
edge the aforegoing deed to be their respective act and 
ded. 

"JOS. A. GONDER, 
"Justice of the Peace. " 
The above deed having been obtained and placed on 
record January 27th, 1904, the pastor immediately 
moved his family in the second story or upper flat, 
and converted the first floor into a place for divine 
worship. Though realizing the purchase of this prop- 
erty meant additional, yea multiplied, sacrifices, never- 
theless great enthusiasm filled the hearts of the mem- 
bers, who loved their church. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



95 



Only those like Daniel, having been without a place 
of worship, can know or feel the sweet consolation 
that thrills the mind and heart of those who come in 
possession of a place to worship the Lord after the 
manner of their fathers. 

The report at the Annual Conference of 1903-4 
showed two senior leagues with 80 members, two 
Sunday Schools with 22 officers and teachers and 200 
scholars, a Woman's Home Missionary Society of 
20 members, which raised $180, and a church mem- 
bership of 117, who paid the Presiding Elder $40, and 
the preacher in charge $540, and raised for all pur- 
poses $2,300. 

The ensuing year Calvary League, Sunday school 
and congregation rilled the church to overflowing, and 
in the fall of 1904 the church paid off the debt and 
burned the last note. 

Although Central congregation felt and expressed 
great satisfaction at getting in their own property, 
nevertheless it was evident the surging energy of this 
three-year-old plant was too strong to be bound down 
under such conditions or be contented in a dwelling- 
house apartment very long. 

The building committee realizing the need of better 
quarters, on April 5th, 1904, decided to tear down 
the Ohr house and erect a church on that site. This 
made it necessary for the pastor, Rev. J. C. Jeter to 
get another residence and a place for the congregation 
to worship. Grace and favor was found in the eyes 
of the Methodist Protestants, so that he secured joint 
use with them of their church on Bedford Street, and 
moved Central congregation thither, where they wor- 
shipped while building. 



96 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



The Ohr house was immediately torn down. The 
pastor and his people worked like trojans in cleaning 
the old brick and gathering other material for the new 
edifice, which grew rapidly, however not without en- 
tailing heavy expenses, and it became evident the time 
had come when every nerve would be tested and every 
energy would have to be exerted to stem the tide. 
There seemed to be just a glimmer of relief seen in the 
Baltimore Annual Conference if it could be induced to 
hold a session there. So Rev. J. C. Jeter was au- 
thorized to invite the Baltimore Annual Conference 
held in Winchester, Va., March, 1905, to hold its next 
session in Central Church, Cumberland, Md. The in- 
vitation was accepted and proved to be the sequel to 
what otherwise might have been a sad calamity, a 
repetition of 1876. For the records show on July 
17th, 1905, the church had outstanding accounts 
amounting to $490, with only $285 to meet the same, 
and in addition thereto it had a loan of $990 of Brother 
Geo. Winters, and the Trustees found it necessary on 
May 12th to borrow $7,500 of the Second National 
Bank of Cumberland, Md., to carry on the building of 
the church. 

However, this sturdy band was not easily discour- 
aged. With unwavering faith in the head of the 
church, and believing they were to be an instrument in 
the salvation of souls, and being encouraged by the 
thought of having the Baltimore Annual Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, within the 
bounds of the Moorefield District and in their midst, 
filled the hearts of Central's members and Southern 
Methodists in general in and about Cumberland, Md., 
with joy and awakened new hopes and aspirations, so 
that the year was one of great activity. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



97 



In the midst of temporal success the spiritual inter- 
est of the church asserted itself ; the October meeting 
in Calvary resulted in 8 conversions and 7 accessions 
on profession of faith and 3 by certificates. The fire 
continued to burn, extending its influence to Centra? 
and culminated in a gracious revival of 24 conversions 
and as many accessions on profession of faith and 18 
by certificate, at Central. 

The Fourth Quarterly Conference for the current 
year 1905-6 was held in Central, February, 1906. The 
services were conducted by Rev. J. T. Williams, P. E. 
Rev. J. C. Jeter, P. C, J. Robert Portmess, John S. 
Grayson, W. E. Frayzee, Theodora Vansant, A. J. 
Allen, D. W. Beall, David G. Brimlow and Thomas 
Morgan were present. J. R. Portmess was elected sec- 
retary. David G. Brimlow and Thomas Morgan were 
given license to exhort. The board of stewards and 
superintendents were re-elected for the ensuing year. 

Under the fostering care of judicious hands the 
Junior League had grown to 40 members, the two 
Senior Leagues to 100 members and the two Sunday 
Schools to 22 officers and teachers, with 265 scholars. 
There were three Woman's Home Missionary Socie- 
ties with 79 members and had raised $339. The pastor 
during the year baptized 30 infants and 6 adults, re- 
ceived 80 members and reported an enrollment of 201. 
The Presiding Elder received $45, and the preacher in 
charge $550 ; paid all conference collections in full. 

Every effort was put forth to get ready for the com- 
ing of the Baltimore Annual Conference, the greatest 
event in the history of Moorefield District and to the 
Southern Methodists in and about Cumberland. 

Great changes had taken place in Cumberland since 
the days when Rev. S. A. Parker arrived there to 



98 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



gather into a body the Southern Methodists, with a 
past history of misfortune overshadowing the most 
sanguine hopes, and was told by one of the M. E. 
preachers that he had better build his church on 
wheels (intimating that he nor the church would be 
able to succeed), nevertheless after nine years of 
vigilant labor and earnest prayer of faithful ministers 
and people a new day dawned with March 27th, 1906, 
when two special coaches over the B. & O. R. R. ar- 
rived in Cumberland bringing Bishop Alphus W. Wil- 
son, a hero in the strife and a tower among preachers, 
and about 300 ministers and laymen, to the seat of the 
122nd session of the Baltimore Annual Conference, 
which met in the new Central M. E. Church, South, 
on South George Street, Cumberland, Md., which is 
gothic style, built of brick, 54 by 58 feet, with slate 
roof. The audience room is 28 by 42 feet and has a 
seating capacity of 300. The lecture room is 16 by 
34^ feet with a seating capacity of 150. There are 
two class rooms on the first floor and a gallery over 
the lecture room with a seating capacity of 150. The 
tower is 8^ by &y 2 feet and 45 feet high and forms 
the vestibule to both lecture room and auditorium. 
The lecture room is directly in front of the pulpit, 
furnished with chairs and thrown into the auditorium 
by removing the curtains. The pews are of oak and 
circular, the pulpit and choir loft is neatly furnished, 
while the windows are stained and leaded glass. The 
church is valued at $20,000, and is a great credit to all 
who had part in its erection. 

At 8 p. m. the pulpit was occupied by Dr. J. J. 
Tigert, of Nashville, Tenn. Dr. David Bush, of 
Staunton, Va., Presiding Elder of the Rockingham 
District, and Dr. James E. Armstrong, Presiding Elder 



Central M. E. Church South 
South George Street 
Cumberland, Md. 
Rev. J. C. Jeter, Pastor 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



99 



of the Roanoke District, who preached the opening 
sermon of the Conference, which was also his vale- 
dictory or farewell sermon, closing 53 years in the 
active ministry. 

By request Dr. J. W. Duffey, of Harrisonburg, Va. 
(who was pastor of Trinity M. E. Church, South, on 
South Centre Street, Cumberland, at the time of its 
dedication), at the close of the evening sermon and in 
behalf of the Humbird family, presented to Central 
Church a beautiful solid silver communion service in 
memory of the late John Humbird, who was a faithful 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to 
his death. 

On March 28th, 1906, the 122nd session of the 
Baltimore Annual Conference met in Cetnral Church, 
on South George Street, Cumberland, Md., at 9 a. m., 
Bishop A. W. Wilson in the chair. The morning was 
gray and lowering ; but as the Bishop rapped the body 
to order the sunlight burst through the clouds and 
streaming through the beautiful stained glass windows 
shed a benediction on the assembly. 

Rev. David Bush, of Staunton, Va., led in prayer, 
after which J. E. Armstrong was nominated and 
elected secretary, which office he had held consecutively 
since John S. Martin's death. On his nomination 
E. V. Regester, G. T. Tyler, J. P. Stump, H. S. Coe, 
W. H. Waters, T. J. Lambert, and G. D Kidner were 
elected assistants. 

Then the Bishop introduced Hon. F. Brook Whit- 
ing, one of the attorneys of Cumberland, who in be- 
half of the city gave the Conference a cordial welcome, 
which was responded to by Rev. J. S. Hutchinson, 
Presiding Elder of the Washington District, who ac- 
cepted the courtesies for the Conference. 

8 



100 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



The excellent report of Rev. P. H. Whisner, Secre- 
tary of the Board of Church Extension, poured oil of 
encouragement on the activities there and caused them 
to press on to greater achievements. 

A pathetic moment came shortly before adjourn- 
ment at noon, when Rev. J. E. Armstrong, D. D., of 
Salem, Va., and Presiding Elder of the Roanoke Dis- 
trict, after reporting the work of the churches under 
his care, asked the Conference to relieve him of active 
work. This venerable secretary's voice trembled with 
emotion as he briefly told of his struggles against hard- 
ships during the civil war, and of his 53 years of con- 
stant active service and labors in the Conference. 

At 11 a. m. Dr. J. J. Tigert, of Nashville, Tenn., 
preached an eloquent sermon from the words, "When 
I awake I am still with thee," 18th verse of the 139th 
Ps., and closed the sermon with a plea to the congrega- 
tion to try and live so that the first thoughts on waking 
would be of eternity. 

Rev. John A. Kern, D. D., professor in Vanderbilt 
University, Nashville, Tenn., gave a series of lectures 
in the afternoon on Bible study, which were listened 
to with interest by a crowded house. 

Bishop Warren A. Candler arrived early in the 
morning on March the 29th, and owing to the indis- 
posed condition of Bishop A. W. Wilson, called the 
second days' session of the Baltimore Conference to 
order at 9 a. m., and after prayer, reading of the 
scriptures and singing, addressed the Conference ; then 
he proceeded with the Conference work. 

The report of the Woman's Foreign Missionary 
Society showed 87 adult auxiliaries, 15 golden links, 
and 27 juvenile auxiliaries with a total membership of 
600, and collections of $5,399.56. The Woman's Home 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 101 



Missionary Society reported 1,369 members, with 83 
on baby roll. 

The Baltimore Conference of the M. E. Church be- 
ing in session at Madison Avenue Church, Baltimore, 
Bishop Luther B. Wilson presiding, sent a telegram 
bearing the congratulations and best wishes of said 
Conference to the Baltimore Conference of the M. E. 
Church, South, in session at Central Church, Cumber- 
land, Md., Dr. James E. Armstrong, Secretary of the 
Conference, was authorized to acknowledge the com- 
pliment and return like fraternal greetings. 

March the 30th Bishop Candler called the Confer- 
ence to order at 9 a. m. Rev. I. W. Canter, D. D., of 
Martinsburg, W. Va., conducted the devotional ex- 
ercises. 

Stephen Joseph, Lester DuLaney, Melvin Thomas 
Tabler, Francis Marvin Richardson, Jacob Newhouse 
Mast, Absalom Knox, Samuel Regester Neel, Harry 
V. Wheeler, J. W. Holliday and Okey D. Lambert 
were admitted on trial. 

Albert Vandevander and James W. Holliday were 
elected deacons. Frank Jankins, William D. Eye, 
James Hedrick, Lewis L. Lowance, George R. Fringer 
and Edwin Brubaker were admitted to full connection. 

James H. Haley, Selwyn K. Cockrell, Henry Law- 
son, William D. King, James B. Hupman, Joseph H. 
Balthis and Claud M. Hesser were elected elders. 

Saturday, March 31st, Rev. J. T. Williams, Pre- 
siding Elder of the Moorefield District, addressed the 
Conference in behalf of Southern Methodism in Cum- 
berland, setting forth the cost and debt on Central 
M. E. Church, South, and asked help. The appeal was 
seconded by T. T. Fishburne, of Roanoke, Va., and a 
collection was taken which resulted in $810. 



102 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Sunday, April 1st, was a noted day for Southern 
Methodists in the region round about and in Cumber- 
land. The air was crispy and the weather beautiful, 
so that early in the morning Cumberland became filled 
with people from the surrounding country and the 
nearby towns of Frostburg, Md., and Piedmont and 
Keyser, W. Va., who came to hear sermons in most 
of the churches in the city by ministers of the Balti- 
more Conference of the Southern Methodist Church. 

Long before the preaching hour, 10.30 a. m., Cen- 
tral Church, in which the Conference was being held, 
was packed to overflowing by those who came to hear 
Bishop Warren A. Candler, of Atlanta, Georgia, who 
took as his theme "The Resurrection of Christ, and 
Its Revolution of the World of Thought and Action." 
He presented with great forcefulness the proofs of 
Christ's triumph over the grave and made an earnest 
and eloquent appeal for the religion that cares for the 
destitute and calms, the troubled breast. 

He said: "The worst infidels of today are not the 
men who, with atheistic audacity deny God, but those 
who say: 'We believe that God exists and that Christ 
was divine,' and then go on living as if there was no 
God and as if Christ never manifested Himself in the 
flesh." 

He held that the church is a new miracle every day, 
and said, while it started among the Asiatics, it has 
subdued the fierce passions of the American Indian. 
For it, men and women cross and recross the deserts 
and seas, risk life and endure disease and death. 

And, if Christ is not risen, he asked why, should men 
consecrate their lives and go to the uttermost ends of 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



103 



the earth in his service? He declared, "If Christ is 
not risen, our work is in vain." 

And furthermore, he said: "The religion needed to- 
day is that which prompts men and women to go to the 
rescue of those who are on the downward path and 
to comfort the broken hearted." 

At the conclusion of the sermon he ordained Lewis 
L. Lowanee, William D. Eye, and James B. Hedrich, 
traveling preachers and deacons, and Albert Vande- 
vanter, James W. Holliday and John Paul Tyler, local 
preachers, deacons. 

Rev. W. S. Neighbors of Green Memorial, Roanoke, 
Va., preached an eloquent sermon at 7.30 p. m. in 
Central to a large and attentive audience, after which 
Bishop Warren A. Candler, assisted by Rev. J. T. 
Williams, who read the Epistle ; Rev. J. S. Hutchison, 
who read the Gospel ; Rev. George T. Tyler and Rev. 
E. V. Regester, ordained James H. Haley, Selwyn K. 
Cockrel, William D. King, James B. Hupman, Joseph 
H. Balthis, Claud M. Hesser, traveling preachers, el- 
ders, and Harry Lawson, local preacher, elder. 

The following pulpits of the city were filled by mem- 
bers of the Conference : 

Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Trinity Grand 
Avenue — Rev. J. J. Ringer, at 11 a. m. ; Rev. H. P. 
Hamil, at 7.30 p. m. 

Agur Chapel, Humbird Street — Rev. O. W. Lusby, 
at 11 a. m. ; Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, at 3.30 p. m. 

Calvary, Ridgeley, W. Va.— Rev. W. O. Talbot, at 
3.30 p. m. ; Rev. D. H. Kern, at 7.30 p. m. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, Center, North Center 
Street— Rev. J. J. Tigert, D. D., at 11 a. m. ; Rev. J. 
Forest Prettyman, at 7.30 p. m. 



104 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Kingsley — Rev. F. M. Richardson, at 11 a. m. ; Rev. 
W. E. Henry, at 7.30 p. m. 

Grace, Virginia Avenue — Rev. S. K. Cox, at 11 a. 
m.; Rev. O. D. Lambert, at 7.30 p. m. 

Methodist Protestant Church, on Bedford Street — 
Rev. J. P. Stump, at 11 a. m. ; Rev. J. O. Knot, at 7.30 
p. m. 

East Cumberland — Rev. Thomas Jones, at 3.30 p. m. 

Mapleside — Rev. L. S. Rudasill, at 3.30 p. m. 

Lutheran Church, St. Pauls, Baltimore Street — Rev. 
Collins Denny, D. D., of Vanderbilt University, Nash- 
ville, Tenn., preached at 11 a. m. to a large congrega- 
tion from the text, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that 
shall be also reap." 

In the first place, he spoke of man in his dual na- 
ture. He showed man, as a physical being, is under 
the law of the flesh, but as a spiritual being he is in 
the image of God, with high mental attributes that 
raise him infinitely above all other creatures in the 
universe. 

He then spoke of man's intellect, his sensibilities and 
his will power, emphasizing the fact that a man "is a 
soul" rather than "has a soul." 

Going more directly into the thought suggested by 
the text, he impressed his hearers with the inevitable- 
ness of reaping manyfold of whatsoever is sown. 

Pie said that while a man cannot make the seed of 
sowing or change its quality, he can choose among the 
many kinds of seeds and select the good from the bad, 
and that in the power to choose man rises to his highest 
dignity. 

Rev. W. H. H. Joyce followed this masterly dis- 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



105 



course with a beautiful and impressive sermon at 7.30 
p. m. 

St. Stephen's — Rev. J. H. Balthis, at 11 a. m. ; Rev. 
C. H. Buchanan, at 7.30 p. m. 

St. John's, corner of Fourth and Arch Streets — Rev. 
R. L. Fultze, at 11 a. m. ; Rev. W. F. Lock, at 7.30 p. m. 

German Lutheran — Rev. C. D. Buller, at 11 a. m. 

St. Mark's Reformed Church — Rev. H. H. Sherman, 
at 11 a. m. ; Rev. Frank Tyler, at 7.30 p. m. 

First Baptist Church — Rev. William Stevens, at 11 
a. m. ; Rev. T. T. Lambert, at 7.30 p. m. 

Young Men's Christian Association, Baltimore St., 
Rev. John O. Knot, at 4 p. m. 

Railroad Y. M. C. A., Virginia Avenue — Rev. J. R. 
Andrew, at 4 p. m. 

The Conference made an indelible impression, and 
opened the way for greater achievements by the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, South, in Cumberland, Mary- 
land. 

On April 2nd Rev. W. H. Woolf was appointed Pre- 
siding Elder of the Moorefield District, where he re- 
mained the ensuing quadrennium, with the following 
appointments : 

Agur Chapel and Trinity, G. D. T. Collens ; Calvary 
and Central, J. C. Jeter; Burlington, W. E. Woolf; 
Capon Bridge, J. M. Hawley; Elk-Garden, J. B. 
Crowell ; Franklin, W. N. Wagner ; Flintstone, G. W. 
Gaither ; Frostburg, J. B. Hupman ; Gainsboro, C. W. 
Mark; Hardy, C. W. Stump; Keyser, A. M. Cackley; 
Listenburg, A. Knox; Moorefield, W. M. Waters; 
Morgan, W. E. Brubaker ; Petersburg, J. W. Holiday ; 
Piedmont, H. L. Hout; Romney, W. P. C. Coe; 



106 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Slanesville, G. H. Heydrick ; Springfield, G. H. Echols, 
and Wardensville, J. A. Jorden. 

With the return of Rev. J. C. Jeter the Conference 
year of 1906-7 opened well, at both Calvary and Cen- 
tral. The development was so perceptible that the 
financial Board at the first Quarterly Conference, April 
17th, felt safe in increasing their pastor's salary to 
$600, and as the demand was so great for increased 
activity they made provision for an assistant or Junior 
preacher — David Brimlow. 

On July 11th, 1906, Hiram Alkire, Archibald J. 
Allen, Robert A. RadclifY, and Charles Deffibaugh, 
Trustees of Calvary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, 
W. Va., purchased of Albert Ridgeley and his wife, 
Annie Ridgeley, both of Ridgeley, Mineral County, 
W. Va., the following described parcel of land: 

"Beginning at the northeast corner of said church 
lot (purchased of Phillip Miller and his wife, July 4th, 
1901), and running with line of said church lot, S. 46° 
E. 28*A ft. ; thence S. 29° 46' W. 105% ft. to an iron 
bar ; thence N. 60° 15' W. 70% ft. to an iron bar in the 
east side of the mountain road ; thence with said road 
N. 29° 45' W r . 30 ft. to the southwest corner of said 
church lot (purchased of Philip Miller and his wife, 
July 4th, 1901) ; thence with line of said church lot 
S. 46° E. 45 ft. ; thence with line of said church lot 
N. 28° E. 95 ft. to the beginning, for two hundred 
dollars." 

And more particularly described in Deed Book No. 
22, page 670, in the Clerk's Office, Keyser, W. Va., the 
deed contains the trust clause and is in fee simple. 

At the Second Quarterly Conference for the year 
of 1906-7, held in Calvary Church, Ridgeley, W. Va., 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 107 



July 23rd, Rev. W. H. Woolf , P. E. ; J. C. Jeter, P. C. ; 
A. J. Allen, Willard Everstine, R. A. Radcliff, J. S. 
Grayson, David Brimlow, Thomas Morgan were pres- 
ent, at which time David Brimlow, Thomas Morgan 
and Thomas Burch were recommended to the District 
Conference for license to preach. The same was 
granted and they became useful workers in the Balti- 
more Conference. 

The Official Board for the ensuing year was re- 
elected at Central Church January 14th, 1907, and the 
record at the end of the Conference year shows a 
marked development, viz : Two Woman's Home Mis- 
sionary Societies with 71 members, three active 
Leagues with 135 members, two flourishing Sunday 
Schools with 20 officers and teachers, and 275 scholars, 
with an ever-increasing fold now numbering 237 mem- 
bers, two churches valued at $22,000 with only $8,000 
indebtedness. The salaries and Conference collection 
in full and the charge raised for all purposes, $2,316. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Trinity and Agur Chapel. 

Rev. G. T. D. Collins, appointed pastor of Trinity 
and Agur Chapel, March, 190G, remained the ensuing 
four years. He found the church in an active state, 
with a nice new parsonage, but a heavy debt, and in 
order to get hold of affairs he called together the 
Building Committee on April 18th, which met accord- 
ing to announcement. Rev. G. T. D. Collins, M. F. 
Davis, H. S. Long, R. F. Twigg, J. W. Noland and 
G. C. Harnsburger were present. 

The pastor in the chair, on motion G. C. Harnsburger 
was elected secretary. After reviewing conditions, 
on motion, the treasurer was authorized to pay 
J. T. Vandegrift $23.50 on his account. From time to 
time the committee met and wrestled with the problem. 
The tide was against them. Work was slack; and 
owing to the rumor that the roundhouse of the Balti- 
more & Ohio Railway would move back to Keyser, 
many were moving away. Consequently, money was 
scarce. However, the pastor and his members held 
together and the church moved forward. 

The Trustees of Agur Chapel, on the 14th of June, 
1907, purchased of J. Wilson Humbird and Fannie, 
his wife, both of Cumberland, Md., Lot No. 230, on 
Humbird Street, Cumberland, Md., and by the side of 
Lot No. 231, on which Agur Chapel stands, for $200. 
The deed for which may be found recorded in Liber 



108 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 109 



No, 209, folio 367, one of the Land Records of Alle- 
ghany County, Cumberland, Md., to-wit: 

"This deed, made this 14th day of June, 1907, by and 
between J. Wilson Humbird and Fannie Humbird, his 
wife, of Cumberland, Alleghany County, Maryland, 
parties of the first part, and the Trustees of Agur 
Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Cumber- 
land, Alleghany County, Maryland, a corporation duly 
incorporated and organized under the laws of State 
of Maryland, party of the second part; 

Witnesseth, That the said parties of the first part, 
for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred 
dollars ($200), to them paid by the party of the sec- 
ond part, the receipt whereof is hereof acknowledged, 
have granted, bargained, released, sold, confirmed and 
by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, convey, re- 
lease and confirm unto the said the Trustees of Agur 
Chapel, M. E. Church, South, Alleghany County, 
Maryland, their successors and assigns ; all of that 
certain lot or parcel of ground, situated and lying in 
the Humbird Land and Improvement Company's Ad- 
dition to the city of Cumberland, Maryland, and which 
is known and designated as Lot No. 230 on the plat of 
the Humbird Land & Improvement Company, which 
is recorded in Liber T. L. 73, one of the Land Records 
of Alleghany County. And a certificate of courses and 
distances of the lot designated on said plat is recorded 
in Liber T. L. No. 84, folio 67, one of the Land Rec- 
ords of Alleghany County, and which said lot or par- 
cel of ground hereby intended to be conveyed is more 
particularly described as follows : 

"Beginning on the north side of Humbird Street 
at the end of the first line of Lot No. 229, and run- 



110 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



ning thence with said street south 53^4 degrees E. 30 
feet., thence north 36% degrees E. 125 ft. to an alley, 
and with it north 53^4 degrees W. 30 ft. to the end of 
the second line of Lot 229, and with it reversed south 
36V2 degrees W. 125 ft. to the beginning. 

"It being the same piece or parcel of land which was 
conveyed and described in deed from Helen B. Gra- 
ham to the said J. Wilson Humbird. Said deed bearing 
date the 27th of April, 1891, and recorded in Liber 
Xo. 70, folio Xo. 1, one of the Land Records of Alle- 
ghany County; 

''Together with the rights, ways, privileges and ap- 
purtenances thereto belonging or in any wise apper- 
taining. To have and to hold the above described 
property unto the said party of the second part, its suc- 
cessors and assigns forever, in trust, that said premises 
shall be used, kept, maintained and disposed of, as a 
place of divine worship, for the use of the ministry 
and membership of the M. E. Church, South, subject 
to the discipline, usage and ministerial appointments 
of said church, as from time to time authorized by the 
General Conference of said church, and by the Annual 
Conference within whose bounds the said premises 
are situated. 

"And the said parties of the first part hereby cove- 
nant with the said party of the second part that they 
will warrant specially the property hereby conveyed 
and that they wall execute such other and further as- 
surance of said land as may be requisite. 

"J. WILSON HUMBIRD, 
"FANNIE HUMBIRD." 

'T hereby certify that on this 14th day of June, 
1907, before me. the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 111 



in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally 
appeared J. Wilson Humbird and Fannie Humbird, 
his wife, and did each acknowledge the foregoing deed 
to be their act. In witness whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand the day and date last above written. 

"J. B. HUMBIRD, 
"Justice of the Peace." 

Having secured the deed for Lot No. 230, in order 
to make ready for a front, Agur Chapel was moved 
back and put upon a more substantial foundation partly 
on Lot 230 and partly on Lot 231. 

The Fourth Quarterly Conference of 1909-10 elected 
M. F. Davis, J. T. Chadwich, D. C. Twigg, J. C. 
Baldwin, Dr. C. S. Owen, J. T. Taylor, M. M. Rice, 
Geo. W. Holtzman, Wilber Hardy, and W. C. Light, 
stewards, and Geo. A. Bowman, superintendent, and 
Bradly Jolly, assistants of Trinity Sunday School, with 
W. D. Hardy as superintendent and E. E. Gerard as 
assistant of Agur Chapel Sunday School. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Ministerial Association. 

The pastors in and about Cumberland thought it 
would be pleasant and unifying to have a monthly 
preacher's meeting, so on the 7th of May, 1906, Rev. 
A. M. Cackley, D. D., of Keyser, W. Va. ; Rev. G. W. 
Gaither, of Flintstone, Md. ; Rev. G. T. D. Collens, of 
South Cumberland, and J. C. Jeter, of Cumberland, 
Md., met in Central Church, Cumberland, Md., and 
after discussing plans for a closer relation of the 
preachers in the Moorefleld District, they organized 
the Moorefleld District Ministerial Association, by 
electing Dr. A. M. Cackley, president ; G. W. Gaither, 
secretary. After which it was moved and carried that 
they meet the first Monday of each month. They ad- 
journed to meet on the first Monday of June. 

The second meeting of the Moorefleld Ministerial 
Association was held in Central M. E. Church, South, 
Cumberland, on June 4th, 1906. The meeting was 
called to order by its president, Dr. A. M. Cackley, and 
in the absence of the secretary, Rev. J. B. Hulman of 
Frostburg, Md., was elected secretary protem. The 
following ministers were present: A. M. Cackley, 
J. J. Hupman, G. H. Echols, J. C. Jeter, Rev. G. T. D. 
Collen and his brother from New York, were present. 
As the reports were given from the various charges, 
a broader interest in the work was felt, and new in- 
spiration given. 



112 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



113 



Rev. J. C. Jeter invited the Association to make Cen- 
tral Church, Cumberland, its permanent meeting place. 
The invitation was accepted. After which Rev. Jeter 
announced there would be lunch in the infant class- 
room on adjournment and after each monthly meeting. 
They adjourned to meet the first Monday in July. 

The Third Mooresfield District Ministerial Asso- 
ciation was held August 6th, 1906, and in the absence 
of the president, A. M. Cackley, Rev. W. H. Woolf, 
Presiding Elder, of the Moorefield District, was asked 
to take the chair. He called the meeting to order, and 
Rev. C. H. Cannon led in prayer. J. C. Jeter was 
elected secretary pro tern. 

W. H. Woolf, C. H. Cannon, J. C. Jeter, G. H. 
Echols, G. T. D. Collens, and J. B. Hupman were pres- 
ent. Rev. G. W. Gaither sent in his resignation as sec- 
retary and J. B. Hupman was elected in his place. The 
reports were inspiring and after the discussion of mat- 
ters of interest the meeting adjourned to meet the 
first Monday in September. 

The fourth meeting of the Moorefield District Min- 
isterial Association was held on December 3rd, 1906, 
in Central parsonage. Dr. Cackley in the chair, called 
the meeting to order and led in prayer. J. B. Hupman, 
G. W. Gaither, G. T. D. Collens, and J. C. Jeter were 
present. By this time it was thought it would be well 
to hold the Association at different points in the dis- 
trict. J. B. Hupman placed in nomination Grace 
Church, Frostburg, and it was chosen as the next meet- 
ing place, and adjournment followed. 

The fifth meeting of the Moorefield District Minis- 
terial Association was held in the parsonage of Grace 
Church, Frostburg, Md., January 7th, 1907. By re- 



114 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



quest, W. H. Woolf took the chair and called on Dr. 
Cackley to lead in prayer. W. H. Woolf, A. M. Cack- 
ley, J. B. Hupman, J. C. Jeter, G. T. D. Collens, and 
L. H. Hout were present. After an interesting meet- 
ing, they adjourned with the benediction, to meet at 
Keyser the first Monday in March. But the meeting 
was not held. 

On May 6, 1907, the Moorefield District Ministerial 
Association met in Trinity Church, Grand Avenue, 
Cumberland. Dr. A. M. Cackley, in the chair, called 
on Rev. L. S. Rudasil to lead in prayer. Others present 
were W. H. Woolf, J. B. Hupman, H. L. Hout, and 

G. T. D. Collens. Dr. Cackley was re-elected president 
and J. B. Hupman secretary. It was decided to hold 
the Epworth League Rally at Ridgeley, W. Va., June 
5-7, and a District Sunday School Institute at Rom- 
ney, W. Va., June 18-20, 1907. 

A meeting was held July 1st, 1907, at Piedmont, 
W. Va., Dr. Cackley in the chair. W. H. Woolf led 
in prayer. Others present were G. T. D. Collens, H. 
L. Hont, and M. A. Patrich. 

A meeting was held in the parsonage of Central, 
Cumberland, October 7th, 1907. Dr. A. M. Cackley, 
in the chair, called on W. T. W eikle to lead in prayer. 
Others present were J. B. Hupman, G. T. D. Collens, 
L. S. Rudasil, G. H. Echols. All made favorable re- 
ports. 

On December 2d, 1907, the Moorefield District Min- 
isterial Association met in the parsonage of Central, 
Cumberland. Dr. Cackley, in the chair, called on L. 

H. Hout to lead in prayer. Others present were J. B. 
Hupman, L. S. Rudasil, G. T. D. Collens, and W. T. 
Weikle. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 115 



On February 4th, 1908, the Moorefield District Min- 
isterial Association met in the parsonage of Trinity 
Church, Grand Avenue, Cumberland. Dr. Cackley, 
J. B. Hupman, H. L. Hout, L. S. Rudasil, G. T. D. 
Collens, David Brimlow, Thomas Morgan, S. H. 
Green, R. L. Wittig were present. This seems to have 
been the last meeting of the Association. 



9 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Central and Calvary. 

On April 2d, 1907, Rev. L. S. Rudasil was appointed 
to Central, Cumberland, and Calvary, Ridgeley, W. 
Va., and the First Quarterly Conference for the cur- 
rent year was held in Central Church, May 6th. Revs. 
W. H. Woolf, P. E. ; Rev. L. S. Rudasill, P. C. ; J. R. 
mess, W. E. Frayzee, John S. Grayson, Willard Ever- 
Everstine, Thomas Morgan, S. H. Green, and R. L. 
Wittig were present. 

In reporting the state of the churches the pastor 
says : 

"The mid-week prayer meetings and the preaching 
services are well attended, and the communion services, 
ordinarily a fair test of the churches' spirituality, is 
large, so that, on the whole, ours is an encouraging 
condition, for which we are profoundly thankful to 
God. However, we are not satisfied with the present 
attainment, and are praying for a deeper work of 
grace, and more spiritual life, and for the salvation of 
the lost. The Junior and Senior Leagues are doing 
well and the Sunday Schools are in excellent condi- 
tion. 

"And as a further evidence of the spiritual condi- 
tion of the church, we find two young men, S. H. 
Green and R. L. Wittig, applicants for license to 
preach, and they have been recommended to the ensu- 
ing Annual Conference." 

116 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 117 



The Calvary League officers, Mrs. R. Radcliff, presi- 
dent; Fermon Moreland, first vice president; Miss 
Nettie Burket, second vice president; Mrs. B. 
O'Rourke, third vice president; Miss Berneice Ever- 
stine, fourth vice president; Miss Bessie Biggs, 
secretary, and Miss L. Eva Vandegrift, treasurer, were 
confirmed January 20th, 1908, the Official Board was 
re-elected, all assessments in full, the pastors' salaries 
advanced $100, and $1,119 paid on church debt. 

There was a steady development along all lines dur- 
ing the current year of 1908-9. The Missionary So- 
cieties, Leagues, added to their number, the Sunday 
Schools, with 305 enrolled, and a church membership 
of 314, were active. And, as heretofore, the Confer- 
ence assessments were met in full. The Presiding El- 
der's salary was advanced to $55 and the pastor's 
salary to $800, both paid in full, and debt on Central 
Church reduced to $6,000. 

On July 12th, 1909, J. T. Vandegrift was elected 
Trustee of Calvary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, 
W. Va., at which time Central had an interesting Bible 
class of 50 members, with great possibilities ahead of it. 

The Quarterly Conference of January 10th, 1910, 
after religious services by Rev. W. H. Woolf , Presid- 
ing Elder, elected J. R. Portmess, W. E. Frazee, J. S. 
Grayson, Theo. Vansant, Claud E. Robinson, M. R. 
Adams, H. H. Carlton, T. B. Bowie, A. J. Allen, Wil- 
lard Evestine, C. H. Deffinbaugh, and Albert Ridge- 
ley, stewards ; J. Robert Portmess, Sunday School su- 
perintendent at Central; T. B. Bowie, assistant; and 
R. A. RadclifT, Sunday School superintendent at Cal- 
vary; J. T. Vandegrift, assistant. All finances paid 
in full, with the pastor's salary advanced to $1,000 and 
paid, and $1,500 paid on Central's debt. 



118 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Rev. G. W. White was appointed Presiding Elder of 
the Moorefield District in 1910, and held Calvary 
and Central's First Quarterly Conference on 
the 18th of April, at which time the Official Board 
fixed Rev. L. S. Rudasil's salary at $1,200, and granted 
him six weeks' leave of absence to visit Scotland and 
parts of Europe. During his absence, Rev. J. Y. 
Myers, returned missionary from Japan, was secured 
to fill the appointment. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Trinity and Agur Chapel. 

Rev. A. Lee Barrett was appointed to Trinity and 
Agur Chapel, March 29th, 1910, and on his arrival 
was heartily and cordially received and favorably im- 
pressed with the outlook. Their first Quarterly Con- 
ference for the current year met in Trinity Church 
on the first of May, and was well attended. The pas- 
tor reported the organization of a Teachers' Training 
Class for Bible study, which subsequently proved very 
beneficial to other classes of the school. Owing to 
the resignation of M. F. Davis and Edward E. Ger- 
ard. John W. Harrison and Frank Taylor were elected 
stewards in their order and place. 

Robert F. Twigg, one of the founders of Southern 
Methodism in Cumberland, Md., in 1898, a charter 
member, trustee, steward and class leader of Agur 
Chapel, faithful in all positions of the church in which 
he was placed, passed from great suffering to his re- 
ward in 1910. And on October 31, Frank Taylor 
was elected trustee of Agur Chapel to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of Mr. Robert F. Twigg. 

On January 16th, 1911, the Official Board was re- 
elected for the ensuing year, and Mrs. Blanch Flood, 
president ; Mrs. Bessie Kalbaugh, first vice president ; 
Miss Gussie Rice, second vice president; Miss Susie 
McFarland, third vice president; Miss Cora Twigg, 
fourth vice president; Miss Maud Heron, secretary, 

119 

9V 2 



120 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



and Mrs. Jessie Chestnut, treasurer, were confirmed 
officers of Trinity's Senior League, and Miss Edna 
Chadwich, superintendent of the Junior League, which 
raised $121.00. 

At the Quarterly Conference held in Agur Chapel, 
December 13th, 1911, Rev. G. D. White, Presiding 
Elder, A. Lee Barrett, P. C, J. W. Harrison, J. T. 
Chadwich, M. M. Rice, Geo. Holtzman, J. T. Taylor, 
W. C. Light, D. C. Twigg, and Frank Taylor were 
present. 

Owing to the growth of the church and the in- 
creased demands in each of the several fields of labor, 
it was felt that there should be a readjustment of the 
Board of Trustees. J. Robert Portmess, Archibald 
J. Allen and Willard Everstine, who were charter 
Trustees of Trinity, but now members elsewhere, felt 
that there were plenty of members in Trinity to fill 
the various offices, therefore sent in their resignations, 
which were accepted. Millard M. Rice and Geo. W. 
Holtzman, who were charter Trustees of Agur Chapel, 
but now members of Trinity, sent in their resigna- 
tions, which were accepted. 

M. M. Rice, Geo. W. Holtzman and John W. Har- 
rison were elected Trustees of Trinity Church in order 
and place of the above resignees. Thomas F. Evans 
and Wesley C. Light were elected Trustees of Agur 
Chapel in order and place of the above resignees. 

During the latter part of the summer and fall of 
1911, Rev. A. Lee Barrett was called on to undergo 
grievous sorrow on account of his wife's sickness and 
death. Amid it all he pressed on with the Master's 
work. 

In 1913 Rev. H. A. Brown was appointed to the 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 121 



Moorefield District and held the first Quarterly Con- 
ference for Trinity and Agur Chapel April 28th. He 
found the pastor, Rev. A. Lee Barrett, in favor with 
the people and the work in good condition. 

The year passed on well, and with it closed Rev. A. 
L. Barrett's quadrennium, during which time he in- 
troduced the Duplex Envelope System, built a brick 
pavement in front of both Trinity church and parson- 
age, cemented the cellar, renewed the back porch floor, 
and built a wall in front of the parsonage, put new 
pews in Trinity Church, new organ and new set of 
chairs in Agur Chapel ($217.50), installed arch lights, 
and put individual communion cups in both churches, 
kept the interest paid on the parsonage debt, and paid 
$-150 on the principal, reducing the debt to $1,050. 

And at the close of his pastorate he said to his peo- 
ple : "Our stay among you has been delightful ; we 
shall long cherish the warm and cordial expressions 
of friendship, sympathy and patient forbearance of 
our many imperfections and short comings. Only fear 
the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart. 
And as in times past, do we pray the Lord God and 
Father that He will send you a man of God, a master 
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, as my suc- 
cessor, and your future pastor." At this time the charge 
paid $850.00. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Central and Calvary. 

Rev. James H. Balthis was appointed to Central, 
Cumberland, Md., and Calvary, Ridgeley, W. Va., on 
April 3rd, 1911, where he and his family were kindly 
received and a public reception given in their honor, 
in which Rev. A. Lee Barrett, pastor of Trinity, par- 
ticipated. 

At the Conference held in Central on the 22nd of 
May, he said: "The Leagues, Sunday Schools, and 
church services are all well attended. We are serving 
a loyal, devoted and an energetic people. And I pray 
that I may be a worthy minister in your midst, and 
that the blessing of God may bind us together." 

The social means of grace and public services were 
inspiring and drew the people, so that in the early fall 
the spirit manifested itself in a great awakening, which 
resulted in 38 accessions at Central, and a number at 
Calvary. But while things were going well in the 
church, Rev. J. H. Balthis and wife were called on to 
pass through troubled waters and drink of bitter grief, 
in the illness and death of their little daughter, whose 
spirit, being released from mortal clay, was taken upon 
high to shine with the redeemed around the throne of 
glory. 

On February 19th, 1912, E. G. Shirley, Godfrey 
Feltz, and T. A. Bootman were added to the Board 
of Stewards and the Official Board re-elected for the 
ensuing year, at which time the Calvary League offi- 

122 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 123 



cers, viz., Benj. C. Krouse, president; J. T. Dunlop, 
first vice president; Firman Moreland, second vice 
president ; Miss Nellie Lawrence, third vice president ; 
Miss Minerva Spaugler, fourth vice president; Miss 
Bessie Moreland, secretary, and Martin Schroder, 
treasurer, were confirmed. 

Although the Woman's Home Missionary Society 
only had 49 members, nevertheless they were inclined 
to good works, and raised $259.26 during the year. 

Alfred Ridgeley was elected a Trustee of Calvary 
M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., the 17th of 
February, 1913, at which time the numerical growth 
of 133 in the Leagues, 406 in the Sunday Schools, and 
a church membership of 388 at Central and Calvary 
plainly bespoke of the vitality and spirituality of the 
church, and demonstrated the need of her presence 
there and the wisdom of the fathers in occupying this 
territory. 

Central was called on to record its first official loss 
August 15th, 1913, in the death of Gaud E. Robin- 
son, who was a trustee, steward and faithful member. 
And on September 26th, Hope H. Carlton and Godfrey 
Feltz were elected Trustees of Central. 

Owing to the extensive improvement going on at 
Central, the League, Sunday School, and congregation 
moved to the City Hall, where they remained till the 
work was completed, at a cost of $802. 

So rapid was the growth and such the demand for 
more service at Calvary that at the fourth Quarterly 
Conference of 1913-14 Rev. G. D. White, Presiding 
Elder, was requested to secure a junior preacher at the 
ensuing Conference, in order that Calvary might have 
service both morning and night. 



124 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



On March 30th, 1914, at the Conference held in St. 
Paul's, Baltimore, Rev. J. H. Balthis was returned 
preacher in charge, and Rev. W. A. Lynch appointed 
junior preacher of Central, Cumberland, Md., and Cal- 
vary, Ridgeley, W. Va. . 

The first Quarterly Conference for the current year 
was held in Central Church, April 13th, at which time 
the salaries were set for the Presiding Elder $128, 
the P. C. $1,100, and the junior preacher $500. In 
reporting, the preacher in charge says: "The Cal- 
vary League is the better of the two; both Sunday 
Schools are in good condition. The school at Calvary 
crowds the building, so there is pressing need for more, 
room in order that effective work may be done." A let- 
ter in the Cumberland Evening Times said : "Since the 
appointment of Rev. W. A. Lynch to the work, and 
giving the Ridgeley people morning and evening serv- 
ice instead of the afternoon, the present church build- 
ing is entirely inadequate to accommodate either the 
Sunday School or congregation; hence the Board of 
Trustees realizes that something must be done and that 
at an early date. Therefore, under the direction of Rev. 
J. H. Balthis, preacher in charge, a congregational 
meeting was held May 14th, 1914, in Calvary Church 
for the purpose of deciding whether to enlarge the 
present church or erect a new building upon another 
location. And after discussing the matter they decided 
to seek a new location providing the present site could 
be disposed of to an advantage, they adjourned with 
the understanding that a special meeting would be 
called by the Rev. H. A. Brown, Presiding Elder, to 
meet the next Friday night for the purpose of going 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 125 



more fully into the details of the needs of the Calvary 
congregation.'' 

At the called meeting, Rev. J. H. Balthis, Rev. W. 
A. Lynch, A. J. Allen, Willard Everstine, B. W. 
O'Rourke, Albert, Ridgeley, and L. A. Bootman were 
appointed a committee either to enlarge Calvary or 
build a new church at Ridgeley, W. Va. On motion 
the committee was instructed to employ an architect 
at not more than $25 to draw plans and specifications. 
It was moved that the committee be instructed to ob- 
tain bids with the power to reject any or all. It was fur- 
ther moved that the committee be instructed to borrow 
sufficient money to enlarge Calvary Church, Ridgeley, 
W. Va., but not exceeding $2,500. It was also moved 
that the committee be authorized to give a mortgage 
to those whose names appear on the note or notes, 
to secure the money for improvements on Calvary M. 
E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., all of which were 
carried. 

Owing to the resignation of Robert A. Radcliff", B. W. 
O'Rourke was elected trustee of Calvary Church, Oc- 
tober 12th. And on the following day Rev. H. A. 
Brown, P. E., preached the reopening sermon of Cen- 
tral Church and received the complimentary subscrip- 
tion of $1,400 on the improvements of the church. 

As the church was in great favor among the people 
and prosperity attending it on every hand, the Official 
Board felt that it was high time for them to make some 
provision for the long-realized need of a home for 
their pastor ; hence, a special meeting of the Quarterly 
Conference was called December 7, 1914, at which 
time they considered the matter, and on motion, J. 
Robert Portmess, W. E. Frayzee, J. S. Grayson, E. Lee 



126 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Shaw, H. H. Carlton, W. B. Campbell, J. T. Vande- 
grift, C. H. Deffinbaugh and Dr. J. T. Johnson were 
elected a committee to purchase a parsonage for Cen- 
tral Church, South, Cumberland, Md. 

The laborers were faithful and active and the in- 
tense interest in the work is shown by the large at- 
tendance on the last quarterly meeting for the current 
year, 1914-15, at which time, together with Rev. H. A. 
Brown, P. E. ; Rev. J. H. Balthis, P. C. ; Rev. W. A. 
Lynch, assistant ; J. R. Portmess, W. E. Frazee, J. S. 
Grayson, H. H. Carlton, E. Lee Shaw, Theo. Vansant, 
E. G. Shirley, C. H. Deffinbaugh, J. T. Vandegrift, 
Godfrey Feltz, W. B. Campbell of Central, and A. J. 
Allen, Willard Everstine, B. W. O'Rourke, T. A. Boot- 
man, Geo. T. Harrison, J. T. Bowers and B. W. More- 
land of Calvary were present, and re-elected the Of- 
ficial Board. 

This manifested interest was attended with great 
success in the work, for Central had a Senior League 
of 44 members, a Sunday School with 17 officers and 
teachers, with 248 scholars, and raised $116 for mis- 
sions and $123 for other objects, and a Woman's Home 
Missionary Society of 40 members, who raised $258. 
We note the baptizing of 9 infants and 2 adults, 18 re- 
ceived on profession of faith and 17 by certificate, 
making 340 church members. They paid the presid- 
ing elder $88 and the preacher in charge $1,100, and 
had a church valued at $20,000, with a debt on it of 
$3,844, and carried an insurance policy of $5,000. 

While Calvary had a very interesting Senior League 
of 124 members, a Sunday School with 17 officers and 
teachers and 191 scholars, and raised $74 for missions 
and $69 for other purposes; a Woman's Home Mis- 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 127 



sionary Society with 5 connections and 30 local mem- 
bers, who raised $111. 

It is evident the parents thought their children had 
a right to the promises and that they have the mantle 
of the church thrown around them, for the pastor bap- 
tized 19 children and 3 adults. He received 6 on pro- 
fession of faith and 13 by certificate, making 153 
church members, who paid the Presiding Elder $40 
and their pastor $500 and had a church free of debt. 

With these demonstrations of a great possibility for 
the church in that community, the Official Board of 
Calvary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., asked 
the Quarterly Conference in session to request the 
ensuing Baltimore Annual Conference (which was to 
meet in Washington, D. C, in March, 1915) to set 
Calvary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., off a 
separate and independent charge. This being agree- 
able to the official members of Central Church, the 
Quarterly Conference unanimously voted that Calvary, 
Ridgeley, W. Va., be made a separate and independent 
charge, and requested Rev. H .A. Brown, P. E., of the 
Moorefield District to recommend the same to the en- 
suing Annual Conference, which he did, and it was 
done. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Trinity and Agur Chapei,. 

On March 30th, 1914, Rev. Linwood Hammond was 
appointed to Trinity and Agur Chapel, Cumberland, 
Md. He found the work in an encouraging condition 
and took hold of it with all his strength and energy, 
so he soon won a warm place in the hearts of many 
of his parishioners and friends of the church. Conse- 
quently, at the First Quarterly Conference, held in 
Trinity, April 20th, there was a goodly representation 
of the official members present. After devotional 
service conducted by the Rev. H. A. Brown, P. E., 
Jeremiah T. Chadwick was elected secretary, and on 
considering their pastor's needs the official board laid 
his salary at $1,000. They also elected W. D. Hardy, 
T. E. Evans, and B. H. Jolly delegates to the District 
Conference. The records show there were two active 
leagues — junior and senior — two Sunday Schools in 
good condition, a Home and Foreign Missionary So- 
ciety, and some accessions to the church. 

As Rev. Linwood Hammond became better acquaint- 
ed with his field of labor the more he was convinced, as 
his predecessor had been, that "the field was white 
unto the harvest." Great opportunities stood out be- 
fore the church, but there were stubborn difficulties in 
the way. The debt on the parsonage was a thorn in 
the flesh. And in addition thereto the parsonage had 
already reached such a condition as to need the touch 
of the brush. Also Trinity had long since become too 



128 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 129 



contracted, too small, to accomplish or perform the 
great work that lay all around her door and set for her 
to do. So that at the urgent request of the pastor, the 
Quarterly Conference held at Agur Chapel, July 3rd, 
1914, elected a committee consisting of G. W. Holtz- 
man, C. W. Light and E. E. Grim to have the par- 
sonage painted; and a committee consisting of Rev. 
Linwood Hammond, J. T. Chadwick, J. W. Harrison, 
Thomas F. Evans and M. M. Rice, to manage the par- 
sonage debt, and pay it off; and also devise some 
feasible plan by which to build the auditorium of 
Trinity. 

In the midst of their anticipated achievements, sad- 
ness came to the charge in the death of the beloved 
brother, J. W. Harrison. His pastor says of him: 
"John W. Harrison, a member of the official board, 
and faithful in all good works, has passed to his re- 
ward. I visited him in his last illness, and was with 
him in the hour of death. I have never known a man 
more submissive to the Divine will. He was a good, 
true man of God, and was ripe for heaven." 

The Third Quarterly Conference for the year 1914-15 
was held at Agur Chapel, September 25th, 1914. John 
M. Schatzer was elected Trustee for Trinity M. E. 
Church, South, and a member of the board of stew- 
ards to fill the vacancy caused by the death of J. W. 
Harrison. C. S. Heinrick was elected Trustee of 
Trinity parsonage to fill like vacancy, and Wilber D. 
Hardy was elected to take the place of J. W. Harrison 
on the Building Committee. 

The records show the pastor had organized a "Phila- 
thea Class" with 14 charters members, at Trinity. 

At the official meeting held in Trinity Church, March 
6th, 1915, the Official Board was re-elected, and as 



130 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Trinity could not accommodate the growing Sunday 
School nor the ever-increasing congregation, on mo- 
tion, J. T. Chadwich, J. E. Nixon, M. M. Rice, Geo. 
W. Holtzman, John M. Schatzer, C. L. Heinrich, Ed- 
ward E. Rice, Geo. W. Derritt, W. W. Davis and the 
pastor, were elected a Building Committee for the en- 
largement of Trinity. 

Though bodily weak and worn, Rev. Linwood Ham- 
mond conducted a series of meetings at both of the 
appointments, and the Lord blessed his labors by 36 
accessions on profession of faith, and by certificates. 
However, at the end of the year it was thought best 
for him to take a rest. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Calvary. 

The Baltimore Conference Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, met in Mt. Vernon Place Church, 
Washington, D. C, March 24th, 1915, with Bishop 
Warren Candler in the chair. And when Rev. H. A. 
Brown Presiding Elder of the Moorefield District, pre- 
sented the petition of the Fourth Quarterly Confer- 
ence of Central M. E. Church, South, Cumberland, 
Md., and Calvary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. 
Va., to set Calvary Church apart a separate and in- 
dependent charge from Central Church, the Confer- 
ence granted the request, and set Calvary M. E. 
Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va., apart as a separate 
and independent charge. 

And on the 29th of March Rev. W. W. White was 
appointed preacher in charge of Calvary, Ridgeley, 
W. Va. Rarely do we find a charge begin its career 
under such favorable auspices, viz., with a Senior 
League of 124 members, a Sunday School with an en- 
rollment of 208, a Woman's Missionary Society with 
5 connectional and 30 local members, and a church 
nucleus of 159 ; a beautiful little church on a magnifi- 
cent eminence, and sufficient lot to enlarge the church 
and build a parsonage on if so desired ; free of debt 
and in the midst of a rapidly growing community of at 
least 1,000 inhabitants, teeming with youthful life and 
enthusiastic in the interests of the church. Calvary, 

131 



10 



132 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



being the only church in Ridgeley, it was without com- 
petition of any kind. 

The personnel of the first official meeting of the new 
charge held in Calavry Church, Ridgeley, W. Va., 
May 11th, 1915, consisted of Rev. H. A. Brown, P. E., 
Rev. W. W. White, P. C, A. J. Allen, Willard Ever- 
stine, Geo. Harrison, J. T. Bowers and B. W. 
O'Rourke. 

After religious services conducted by the Presiding 
Elder, Willard Everstine was elected secretary. The 
Official Board as previously elected was confirmed and 
enrolled, as follows : 

Rev. W. W. White, P. C. 

Stewards — Archibald J. Allen, Willard Everstine, 
B. W. O'Rourke, T. A. Bootman, J. T. Bower, Geo. 
Harrison, B. Mooreland. 

Trustees — W. W. White, Hiram Alkire, Archibald 
J. Allen, Charles Deffibaugh, Jas. T. Vandegrift, B. W. 
O'Rourke. 

William Everstine, Sunday School Superintendent. 

From the beginning the work readily responded to 
the care and attention of the pastor. The league was 
active, the Sunday School busy and the congregation 
large and solicitous. It was evident a larger church was 
needed, and as some wanted to move off the hill, at 
this Quarterly Conference the Building Committee pre- 
viously appointed was authorized to sell the first 
church, get another location and build a larger church. 

The Building Committee, appointed April 13th, 1914, 
consisting of the preacher in charge, A. J. Allen, Wil- 
lard Everstine, B. W. O'Rourke, Alford Ridgeley, and 
T .A. Bootman, acted promptly and purchased of J. T. 
Vandegrift and Grace Vandegrift, his wife, two lots, 
26 by 100 feet each, making a lot 52 by 100 feet, on 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



133 



the east side of Nobly Street, Ridgeley, W. Va., for 
$1,400. It was conveyed as follows : 

"This deed, made this 7th day of June, 1915, by and 
between James T. Vandegrift and Grace Vandegrift, 
his wife, grantors of the first part, and Trustees of the 
Calvary M. E. Chourch, South, party of the second 
part, all of the county of Mineral and State of West 
Virginia. 

"Witnesseth, that for the consideration of the sum 
of $10 cash in hand paid, and other considerations not 
herein mentioned, the receipt of all of which is ac- 
knowledged, the said party of the first part doth grant 
and convey with covenants of general warranty of 
title unto the said Trustees of Calvary M. E. Church, 
South, all of that certain piece and parcel of ground 
lying and being in Frankf ord District, county and State 
aforesaid, shown and designated as lots 6 and 7 in 
Vandegrift's first addition to the town of Ridgeley, in 
trust, that said premises shall be used, kept, maintained, 
and disposed of, as a place of divine worship for the 
use of the ministry and members of Calvary M. E. 
Church, South, subject to the discipline, usage and 
ministerial appointment of said church, as from time 
to time authorized and declared by the General Con- 
ference of said church, and by the Annual Conference 
within whose bounds the said premises are situated. 
Said lots Nos. 6 and 7 are described and bounded as 
follows : 

"Beginning at a stake in the easterly line of Knob- 
ley Street corner of lot No. 5, and running with it, 
south 59 degrees 35 east 100 feet west to a stake in 
the westerly line of diagonally alley, 12 feet wide. 
Thence leaving said lot No. 5, and running with the 
line of said alley south 30 degrees 25 west, 26 feet to a 



134 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 

stake in the corner of lot No. 7, continuing the course 
26 feet further to a stake in corner of lot No. 8, in all 
52 feet, thence alongside said lot No. 8, 59 degrees 35 
west, 100 feet to Knobley Street, thence along said 
street north 30 degrees 25 east, 26 feet to a stake in 
corner of lot No. 7, continuing the course 26 feet fur- 
ther to a stake in corner of lot No. 5, in all 52 feet to 
the beginning. The above described lots Nos. 6 and 7 
being parts of the same land conveyed by and described 
in deed from Ben j amine R. Valentine to the said 
James T. Vandegrift, said deed bearing date 9th of 
October, 1911, recorded in book No. 32, pages 128 
and 129, Keyser, W. Va., Clerk's Office." 

The committee having secured a location decided to 
erect thereon a brick church of gothic style 42 by 62 
feet, with slate roof, and selected Mr. J. T. Vande- 
grift as superintendent and builder, who began work 
on the building immediately. 

As an evidence of the development going on in the 
church a Junior League of 40 members was organ- 
ized on June 21st, and a Bible Class of 8 members on 
the last Sunday of June. In September, Mrs. Robert 
Pane was appointed superintendent of the Cradle 
Roll, and thus another branch of the church's activity 
was brought into operation. 

The new church rapidly grew to completion, and the 
opening sermon was preached by Rev. G. Dorsey 
White, father of the pastor, and former Presiding El- 
der of the District. 

It had a cement foundation, the walls were of brick 
and covered with slate, the tower was 11 by 11 feet 
and 35 feet high; it formed the vestibule to both the 
Sunday School room and auditorium. The Sunday 
School room was 24 by 32 feet and the auditorium 34 




Second Calvary M. E. Church South 
Ridgely, West Va. 
Opened December, 1915 
Rev. W. W. White, Pastor 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 135 



by 42 feet, with a recess pulpit and choir loft 10 by 32 
feet; the entire dimensions being 42 by 62 feet and 
furnishing a seating capacity of 400. 

The floor inclined, the pews were circular with ends 
and backs of oak and seats of chestnut nicely fin- 
ished. The altar rail, pulpit and chairs were all oak, 
nicely harmonized. The Sunday School room was di- 
rectly in front of the pulpit, and as it was separated 
from the auditorium with rolling doors it was easily 
thrown into the main body of the church. It was 
seated with chairs and well supplied with blackboards 
and maps. 

The pulpit and choir loft was covered with a nice 
ingrain carpet ; the church was beautified and well 
lighted by day with three twin windows, nine single 
windows and circular window, all memorial and leaded 
glass, and with gas by night. 

The front trio window is in memory of the pastor, 
who built the church, Rev. W. W. White, and wife. 
The north window was given by James T. Vandegrift 
and wife,, the south window by Alford Ridgeley and 
wife, the circular window by M. W. Schrader, and 
one each by Robert RadclifT and wife, Miss Bernice 
Everstine, N. E. Monnett and wife, the Men's Bible 
Class and the Junior League. 

The pastor, Rev. W. W. White, said on December 
6th, 1915 : "The new church is a credit to the cause of 
Methodism in Ridgeley, is comfortable, attractive and 
well suited to meet the demands and advance the cause 
of kingdom of Christ. We are at present in the midst 
of a revival and the Lord, graciously blessing our ef- 
forts, has enabled 55 to make profession of faith in 
Christ and unite with us, and consequently the church 
is quickened." 

ioy 2 



136 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



During the year the church grew along all lines of 
activity and more perfectly completed its organization 
by adding a Junior League, a Men's Bible Class, a 
Cradle Roll and a Home Department. 

The Fourth Quarterly Conference, on the twenty- 
fifth of February, for the current year of 1915-1916, 
added C. T. Blake to the board of stewards, and 
elected M. B. Mooreland assistant superintendent of 
the Sunday School, F. H. Mooreland superintendent 
of the Home Department, and O. W. Summers lay 
leader. 

At which time the Trustees reported two brick 
churches in the town of Ridgeley, W. Va., "one built 
in the year 1901, in good condition, free from debt, and 
valued at $2,000, but too small to accommodate this 
growing congregation. The other, a new church build- 
ing, erected in 1915, at a cost of $6,500, with an indebt- 
edness of $4,900. They carried $1,500 insurance on 
the old church and $3,000 of insurance on the new 
church, on which they paid $42.60, premiums for the 
three ensuing years. 

The titles are in fee simple and contain our trust 
clause required by the discipline. The titles are kept 
by James T. Vandegrift in the Peoples Bank of Ridge- 
ley, W. Va. The deeds are recorded in the Clerk's 
Office of Keyser, W. Va. The old deed in Book No. 
28, page 516. The deed to the new church in Book 
No. 35, pages 6 and 7. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ARCHIBALD J. ALLEN, 
B. W. O'ROURKE." 

Hiram Alpire, a charter member and one of the 
original Trustees of Calvary M. E. Church, South, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



137 



Ridgeley, W. Va., which office he held to the end, 
when he quietly and peacefully fell asleep and his 
spirit was borne away from us by the white-winged 
angels to the rest that remaineth for the people of 
God. It can truly be said of him that "he fought well, 
kept the faith and has gone to be a member of the 
Triumphant Church in glory." 

December 9th, 1916, B. M. Mooreland was con- 
firmed president of the Senior League, and at the same 
time O. W. Summers and B. M. Mooreland applied 
for exhorter's licenses, which were granted. 

At the Quarterly Conference held February 26th, 
1917, W. L. McFarland was elected Trustee to fill 
vacancy caused by the death of Hiram Alkire ; Geo. F. 
Harrison, assistant superintendent of the Sunday 
School; Mrs. James Ridgeley, superintendent of the 
primary department ; O. W. Summers, on the advisory 
committee and lay leader. 

Rev. W. W. White was returned to the charge April 
2nd, 1917, and as the house adjoining the church be- 
came vacant he rented it and moved there. On Decem- 
ber 14th, 1917, the Trustees sold the first Calvary M. 
E. Church, South, built in Ridgeley, W. Va., for 
$1,500, and applied the proceeds to the debt on the 
second Calvary Church, built there in 1915. 

The new church was lighted and heated by gas, and 
owing to its scanty supply the janitor of the church 
on the evening of January 5th, when igniting the fire, 
turned on the full current and thoughtlessly left it that 
way with the stove door open. As the night passed 
and others turned their current off, the gas became 
stronger through the pipes leading into the church, and 
the licking flames poured forth through the open stove 
door and set fire to the church. Mrs. W. W. White, 



138 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



wife of the pastor, was aroused and startled early in 
the morning of January 6th, 1918, by the flames of the 
burning church shining through the windows of the 
parsonage, which was saved with great difficulty. 

The unwelcome news quickly spread to every home 
in the town, and as a burning arrow pierced many a 
heart. Fortunately, the church was insured for $3,000, 
all of which they received ; but after paying the in- 
debtedness on the church there was only $360 and the 
lot on which the ghastly fire-eaten walls stood, lelt 
them, and their former church having been disposed 
off they were completely out of doors and knew not 
whither to turn. However, the hall of the Patriotic 
Order of the Sons of America over the Peoples Bank of 
Ridgeley, W. Va., was secured, and the Presiding 
Elder of the Moorefield District, Rev. Geo. Richard- 
son, of Romney, W. Va., hearing of the misfortune 
that had befallen his people, hastened to them, and 
drawing consolation from the wells of eternal truth, 
preached for them in the hall on January 13th, 1918, 
from the text: 

"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than 
of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this 
place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." 
Hag. 11 :9. 

The Spirit applied the truth and amidst their doubts, 
fears and tears, stilled their hearts and caused hope to 
spring anew on the frowning difficulties. 

The United Brethren, who had purchased their for- 
mer church building, courteously tendered the homeless 
fold an invitation to return and alternate with them 
in the services of the church, which they accepted, and 
held Sunday School at 3 p. m. and preaching service 
at 7.30 p. m. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



139 



However, in time it was realized by both parties 
that neither of them could do their most effective work 
in these cramped conditions, so as soon as Calvary 
congregation could, it secured the Tabernacle in the 
railroad cut, from which the United Brethren moved 
when they purchased the first Calvary Church. 

The Fourth Quarterly Conference for the current 
year 1917-18 for Calvary Church was held in the par- 
sonage adjoining the burned church on March 8th, 
1918, and will long be remembered. Revs. Geo. W. 
Richardson, P. E., W. W. White, P. C, A. J. Allen, 
Geo. Harrison, B. W. O'Rourke, A. C. Jewell, B. M. 
Mooreland, O. W. Summers, W. S. Moore, Willard 
Everstine, Edward Welsh, members, and Elmer E. 
Biggs, a visitor, were present. 

After the usual devotional services conducted by the 
Presiding Elder, the reports were received and the 
interests of the church thoroughly discussed. J. W. 
Shepherd was elected Trustee, instead of James T. 
Vandegrift, resigned, and O. W. Summers, Trustee, 
instead of C. H. Defnbaugh, resigned. On motion, 
J. W. Shepherd, Elmer E. Biggs, and H. R. Kight 
were elected a Building Committee to build a new 
church, and on motion, Willard Everstine and B. M. 
Mooreland were elected a committee to purchase the 
house adjoining the church for a parsonage. 

The salaries were reported in full, but owing to 
their broken-up condition after the burning of the 
church, extreme severe winter, and the broken health 
of the pastor, the Conference collections fell behind 
for the first time in the history of the church. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Central. 

Rev. J. M. York was appointed to Central, Cumber- 
land, Md., March 29th, 1915, where he remained the 
ensuing four years. 

The First Quarterly Conference for the current year 
was held in Central, on May 10th. Rev. H. A. Brown, 
P. E., Rev. J. M. York, P. C, J. R. Portmess, W E. 
Frazee, E. Lee Shaw, W. B. Campbell and Theo Van- 
sant were present J. R. Portmess was elected secre- 
tary and recording secretary. As the incoming pastor, 
by this time, had visited two-thirds of his people, it is 
evident he had vigorously taken hold of the work, and 
consequently had won a warm place in the hearts of 
his people. The Presiding Elder's salary was set at 
$107 and the preacher in charge allowed $1,100 and 
his traveling expenses. 

On September 6th the parsonage Trustees an- 
nounced they had purchased the dwelling house, No. 
27, on Glen Street, Cumberland, for which they were 
to pay $4,010, and at the same time Rev. J. M. York 
stated that $144 had been paid on the church debt, re- 
ducing it to $3,700, and that he had been offered a 
contribution of $1,500 on the church debt, providing 
the church would raise $2,200. Being favorably im- 
pressed with the proposition the church appointed a 
committee to solicit contributions and subscriptions for 
that purpose, and on the night of the third day after 
its appointment, the committee found it had in cash 



140 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



141 



and good subscriptions $2,339.55 — quite enough to se- 
cure the liberal offer, and therefore, in due time, Cen- 
tral Church would be free of all mortgage indebted- 
ness. 

The deed to Central's parsonage is recorded in Liber 
No. 117, folio 509 : 

"This deed, made the 15th day of November, 1915, 
by and between Frank A. Pardew and Wilber V. Wil- 
son, Trustees as hereinafter set forth, of Allegany 
County, in the State of Maryland, parties of the first 
part, and the Trustees of Central Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, of Cumberland, a corporation incor- 
porated under the laws of the State of Maryland, party 
of the second part. 

"Whereas, by a decree of the Circuit Court for 
Allegany County, State of Maryland, sold September 
20th, 1915, and passed in cause No. 7,505 Equity, in 
said Court, defending, wherein Frank E. Wigfield and 
others were complainants, and Albert Wigfield and 
others were defendants. The above named Frank A. 
Pardew and Wilber V. Wilson were duly appointed 
Trustees with authority to sell the real estate in the 
proceedings in the said cause mentioned. 

"And whereas, after having given bond and com- 
plied with all the other requirements of the decree, the 
said Trustees did, on the 14th day of October, in said 
year, sell the property hereinafter described to the 
Trustees of Central M. E. Church, South, of Cumber- 
land, at public sale for the sum of four thousand and 
ten dollars ($4,010), which said sale has been duly 
reported to and ratified by said Court, and the pur- 
chase money fully paid to the said Trustees, Frank A. 
Pardew and Wilbur V. Wilson. 

"Now, therefore, this deed witnesseth that for and 



142 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



in consideration of the premises and of the sum of 
one dollar, the said Frank A. Pardew and Wilbur V. 
Wilson, Trustees as aforesaid; do grant and convey 
unto the said the Trustees of Central M, E. Church, 
South, of Cumberland, all the right and title of all the 
parties to the aforesaid cause in and to all that lot, 
piece, or parcel of ground lying in the City of Cum- 
berland, Allegany County, Maryland, fronting 25 feet 
on the southeasterly side of Glenn Street, and running 
back with even width 100 feet to Shinbone Alley, and 
particularly described as follows : 

"Beginning for the same at a stake standing on the 
southeasterly side of Glenn Street at the end of the 
third line of a deed from Lorenzo D. Rhoer and wife, 
to Moninic Gallagher, dated the 17th of May, 1900, 
and recorded among the Land Records of Allegany 
County, in Liber No. 87, folio 168, and running thence 
with said line of said Gallagher deed, reversing south 
4:Sy 2 degrees east 100 feet to Shinbone Alley, then 
with the northwesterly side of Shinbone Alley south- 
easterly about 25 feet to the end of the second line of 
the whole lot conveyed by John Glenn and others, 
Trustees, and north 48^ degrees west 100 feet to the 
end of said third line at Glenn Street, then with Glenn 
Street to the place of beginning. 

"Being the same property conveyed to John B. Wig- 
field by Mary C. Morgan, by deed dated May 3rd, 
1912, and recorded in Liber No. 110, folio 5, one of 
the Land Records of Allegany County State of Mary- 
land. 

"Together with the buildings and improvements 
thereon, and the right and roads, ways, water privi- 
leges and appurtenances thereto belonging or in any 
wise appertaining, to have and to hold for the above 



IN CUMBERLAND , MARYLAND 143 



granted property unto the said the Trustees of Central 
M. E. Church, South, of Cumberland, its successors 
and assigns, in fee simple forever. 

"FRANK A. PERDEW, 
"WILBUR V. WILSON, 
"Trustees." 

"I hereby certify that on the 15th day of November, 
1915, before me, the subscriber, a Notary Public of 
the State of Maryland in and for Allegany County, 
personally appeared Frank A. Pardew and Wilbur V. 
Wilson, Trustees in No. 7,505 Equity, in the Circuit 
Court for Allegany County, Maryland, did each 
acknowledge the aforegoing instrument to be their act 
and deed. Witness my hand and seal the day and year 
aforesaid. 

"GROVER J. DONAHOE, 

"Notary Public." 

Very unexpectedly Central Church, the Southern 
Methodists about Cumberland, and many friends, were 
caused to lament the sudden death of Jacob Robert 
Portmess, December 29th, 1915, one of the founders 
of his denomination in Cumberland in 1898. A char- 
ter member, steward and trustee of Trinity M. E. 
Church, South, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, Md., and 
elected its Sunday School Superintendent March 1st, 
1901 ; a charter member of Central Church, in whose 
studio the Sunday School was organized on the first 
Sunday of May 1901, at which time he became its 
Superintendent, and continued so during his life. He 
was also Steward and Trustee of Central from its be- 
ginning, to the end of his life. 

The following preamble and resolutions were 
adopted by the church : 



144 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



"Whereas, In the providence of God Bro. J. Rob- 
ert Portmess, a faithful member and officer of our 
church, has been very unexpectedly removed from the 
Church militant to the Church Triumphant, and 

"Whereas, We shall greatly miss his wise counsel 
and his brotherly love and his faithful service, be it 

"Resolved, By the official members of Central M. E. 
Church, South, that we feel, and record, our sincere 
appreciation of his unselfish Christian life, his loyalty 
to the church, his devotion to his Lord and Master, 
and his unwavering support of every good cause ; and 
be it further 

"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon 
the records of the church, and that a copy be sent to 
the family. 

( Signed) "COMMITTEE." 

In his report on February 28th, 1916, Rev. J. M. 
York says : "It is very gratifying to note the progress 
of the Sunday School since its organization, on the 
first Sunday of May, 1901, with 21 members and 
Bro. Portmess, its Superintendent, in his studio, Belvi- 
dere Hall, Baltimore Street, which position he re- 
tained continuously to the end of his life, at which 
time there were 24 on the Cradle Roll, 64 in the pri- 
mary room, two Wesley Bible Classes, and an enroll- 
ment of 225 in all the departments of the school, with 
an average attendance of 125. 

"We have a league of 50 members, which has raised 
$70 for missions; a Woman's Home Missionary So- 
ciety actively engaged in good works, who have raised 
$410. There are four young men attending Randolph- 
Macon Academy, and we have had 27 accessions to 
the church." 

On the 28th of February, 1916, E. Lee Shaw was 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 145 



elected Trustee of Central Church, to take the place 
of J. Robert Portmess, deceased, and the following 
were elected for the ensuing year: J. S. Grayson, W. 
E. Frayzee, E. L. Shaw, H. H. Carlton, E. G. Shirley, 
Theo. Vansant, C. H. Deffinaugh, Dr. C. L. Owen, 
and Godfrew Feltz, Stewards, and W. B. Campbell, 
Sunday School Superintendent, and W. E. McDonald, 
assistant; Miss Meta Grayson, Miss Vera Bechman 
and Mrs. C. G. Collens, Advisory Committee, and B. L. 
Mooreland, Lay Leader. 

At the Conference held in Green Meomorial, Roa- 
noke, Va., in 1917, Rev. George W. Richardson was 
appointed Presiding Elder of the Moorefield District ; 
and on April 30th the Central Society set their pas- 
tor's salary at $1,200. On June 22nd, Central Quar- 
terly Conference recommended Charles A. York to the 
District Conference for license to preach and elected 
Edward Ask and C. M. Lewis, Stewards. 

After years of heroic struggle and sacrifice upon 
sacrifice, by those who bore the burden and weight of 
building Central Church, relief came, the mortgage 
having been lifted. Virginia M. Shultz, a little girl 
6 years of age and youngest member of the church, 
on the 17th of July, 1917, burned all mortgage indebt- 
edness, and Rev. Forest J. Prettyman, D. D., of Wash- 
ington, D. C, preached an eloquent sermon at 11 a. m. 
and dedicated the church, which brought great satis- 
faction, but not inactivity. 

In 1918, Central made improvements and installed 
a splendid steam plant in the church and placed a new 
furnace in the parsonage, at a cost of $1,000, and ad- 
vanced their pastor's salary to $1,500. 

In November the pastor was sssisted in a meeting 
by Rev. G. W. Moore, of Frostburg, Md., which re- 



146 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



suited in 25 conversions, 15 accessions by faith, and 4 
by certificates. 

On the 17th of January, 1919, J. S. Grayson, W. E. 
Frayzee, E. Lee Shaw, E. F. Ash, T. B. Bowie, C. M. 
Lewis, W. E. McDonald, J. T. Vandegrift, E. G. Shir- 
ley, H. H. Carlton, A. G. McElfish, C. A. Rice, A. J. 
Allen, W. M. Fare, B. L. Mooreland, and Dr. C. L. 
Owen were elected Stewards ; W. M. Fare, Sunday 
School Superintendent ; E. Lee Shaw, Assistant Super- 
intendent ; B. W. Mooreland and E. Lee Shaw, Sunday- 
School Advisory Committee; and B. L. Mooreland, 
Lay Leader. 



CHAPTER XX. 



Trinity and Agur Chapel. 

Rev. Harry V. Wheeler was appointed to Trinity 
and Agur Chapel, Cumberland, Md., March 24th, 1915, 
and remained there the ensuing quadrenium. On ar- 
riving he found the church well organized, and at once 
saw there was a great need of better accommodations 
for both the Sundays Schools and congregations; but 
inasmuch as they were wrestling with a heavy burden, 
a long-standing debt on the parsonage, they were not 
much inclined to add thereto, or undertake a more 
stupendous task. 

Rev. H. A. Brown, Presiding Elder of the Moore- 
field District, held their First Quarterly Conference 
for the current year in Agur Chapel, May 7th, 1915. 
Rev. H. V. Wheeler, P. C, M. M. Rice, Geo. W. 
Holtzman, J. M. Shatzer, Charles L. Heinrich, J. E. 
Nixon, and Edgar S. Rice, from Trinity, and Jacob 
T. Taylor, W. C. Light, F. L. Taylor and Edward E. 
Gerard, from Agur Chapel, were present, and set the 
salary of the Presiding Elder at $97, and the salary 
of the preacher in charge at $1,000. The pastor re- 
ported $115.87 paid on the parsonage debt and $28.52 
on other accounts. A Home and Foreign Missionary 
Society, two mid-week prayer meetings, with an av- 
erage attendance at Trinity of 37 women and 7 men, 
and 26 women and 5 men at Agur Chapel, a Junior 
and a Senior League in good condition. He said the 
Sunday School was crowding Agur Chapel, and that 

147 



ii 



148 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Trinity was entirely inadequate for either the Sunday 
School or congregation, hence it was evident if the 
church was to expand or grow, something would have 
to be done in the near future." But as no action was 
taken and as the congested conditions at Trinity con- 
tinued to increase, the pastor, realizing the urgency of 
the matter, called together the building committee ap- 
pointed at the previous Fourth Quarterly Conference, 
consisting of the preacher in charge, J. T. Chadwich, 
M. M. Rice, Geo. W. Holtzman, J. M. Shatzer, C. L. 
Heinrich, J. E. Nixon, Edgar S. Rice, Geo. O. Durritt, 
and W. W. Davis, who met on July 27th and decided to 
build an auditorium to Trinity 47 by 53 feet, of brick 
and covered with slate, according to the plans and 
specification of Geo. F. Sansbury, the architect. On 
the next day the contract was let to Edward E. Gerard, 
who began work on it immediately. 

On November 5th, 1915, a Young People's Mis- 
sionary Society was organized at Trinity, with 22 
charter members, by electing Mrs. Esther G. Davis, 
president ; Miss Pear Twigg, secretary ; Miss Odell 
Peters, corresponding secretary; and Miss Mable 
Lewis, treasurer. The service held November 25th 
resulted in a thank offering of $10. 

At the official meeting held December 6th, J. E. 
Nixon and G. O. Durritt were elected and added to 
the Trinity Board of Trustees, and Mrs. Jeremiah 
Chadwich was confirmed president of the Senior 
League. And as the work on Trinity auditorium had 
been pushed forward so rapidly that it was up and un- 
der roof, it was evident, if the same success attended 
the workmen, it would soon be ready for the regular 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



149 



service January 30th, 1916, was set apart for the open- 
ing occasion, and the work speeded on. 

The auditorium, like the Sunday School room, is of 
gothic design, 47 by 53 feet, with two towers, one 10 
by 11 feet, the other 10 by 10 feet, forming the en- 
trance or vestibule at both front corners of the church. 
The walls are brick and roof slate. 

There is one large window 14 by 15 in front of four 
parts, and three windows on each side, one in memory 
of each, Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, the founder of the 
church; Millard F. Davis, J. W. Harrison, Mark A. 
and J. Gilbert Grim ; and one put in by the Sunday 
School. There are three windows in each tower, and 
one small window over the Sunday School door. All 
are of art glass. The pews are circular, with ends and 
back of three-ply oak, while the seats are chestnut, 
finished in mission oak. The pulpit furniture and choir 
loft is also mission oak, so that the whole interior 
blends. The floor is covered with a green velvet Brus- 
sels carpet, and the auditorium is lighted by concealed 
electric lights in the ceiling, and has a seating capacity 
of 300 ; is connected with the Sunday School room by 
rolling doors, and when both are thrown into one room 
it has a seating capacity of 500. 

The fondest hopes for the opening occsaion were 
fully realized. January 30th proved an ideal day, and 
though in mid-winter, it was bright, warm and invit- 
ing. The Sunday School was out in full force at 9.30 
a. m., and long before the appointed hour for public 
worship every seat in the new auditorium was taken 
and both it and the Sunday School were crowded to 
their utmost capacity. Central, Calvary and Agur 
Chapels closed in order that pastors and people might 
unite with Trinity in celebrating the occasion. 



150 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Rev. J. M. York, pastor of Central; Rev. W. W. 
White, pastor of Calvary; together with Rev. H. V. 
Wheeler, the pastor of Trinity, assisted in the morning 
service. Rev. Geo. T. Tyley, of Fairfax, Va., and a 
former Presiding Elder of the Moorefield District, in 
which Trinity Church is located, preached the opening 
sermons at 11 a. m. and again at 7.30 p. m., to the de- 
light of all present. 

In the evening Rev. H. C. Smith, a member of the 
Baltimore Conference M. E. Church, South, and Rev. 
H. A. Brown, Presiding Elder of the Moorefield Dis- 
trict, were present and took part in the services. And 
thus ended one of the most delightful days in the his- 
tory of the church. 

The Fourth Quarterly Conference for the current 
year met in Trinity Church on the following day, Janu- 
ary 31st, 1916, at which time the official board was re- 
elected. And that the church was in a state of activity 
and prosperity, financially, numerically, and spiritually, 
is evidenced by trie beautiful auditorium just built, 
three Missionary Societies who raised $171 ; a Junior 
and Senior League numbering 100 in membership ; 
Trinity Sunday School with an enrollment of 295, 
Agur Chapel had 130 in its Sunday School. Six adults 
and 10 infants had been baptized, 31 received on pro- 
fession of faith, and 23 by certificate, making a mem- 
bership of 349. 

However, in the midst of her triumphs, Trinity was 
caused to lament the loss of Mrs. Florence Purington, 
one of its charter and faithful members, who quietly 
and peacefully fell asleep March 30th, 1916, and who 
was thereby relieved of the cares and trials of life to 
enter the rest that remaineth for the people of the 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



151 



Lord. And after two years of lingering illness, Albert 
Dewitt Randell, a charter member and Trustee of 
Trinity Church, yielded to the ravafies of disease April 
11th, 1916, and was laid to rest by his comrades, look- 
ing for the reunion on the resurrection morning. 

The current year of 1916-17 opened under favor- 
able circumstances. The success attending the efforts 
at Trinity, and the congested conditions at Agur 
Chapel, inspired the Chapel to redouble its activity, so 
that, by request, the Presiding Elder held a called 
meeting at the Chapel on June 6th, 1916, at which time 
they thoroughly discussed its needs and decided to 
build a new church. 

And by the time of the Second Quarterly Confer- 
ence, held in Trinity, July 14, 1916, the demands were 
such that the official board of the Chapel presented the 
great need of more service or service at a different 
hour, and requested the Presiding Elder to provide a 
junior preacher or one to take charge of that part of 
the work. 

After the conditions and opportunities of the church 
at that appointment were thoroughly discussed, it was 
decided that if Agur Chapel could pay its proportional 
part of salaries of the preacher in charge, and the 
Presiding Elder, to July 31st, 1916, and provide for 
the suport of a junior preacher the balance of the year, 
the Presiding Elder promised to secure a preacher 
for them. 

The Stewards of Agur Chapel accepted the propo- 
sition, and made arrangements to meet these require- 
ments. Whereupon the Presiding Elder immediately 
set about looking for a preacher to fill the position and 
secured the services of Rev. Geo. R. Kiracofe, who en- 

IVA 



152 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



tered upon the work at Agur Chapel August 15th, 1916. 
His coming and giving Agur Chapel morning and 
evening service, instead of the afternoon, put new 
vigor in the appointment and proved a great blessing 
to the entire work. 

The Trustees of Trinity M. E. Church, South, Grand 
Avenue, Cumberland, Md., thinking they could handle 
their finances better by consolidating their obligations, 
on the 10th of October, 1916, borrowed $6,660.11 of 
the First National Bank, Piedmont, W. Va., and after 
having met their obligations in building the audito- 
rium, paid off the $1,074 balance of $1,500 mortgage 
held by W. Boyd Smith, of Cumberland, against the 
parsonage building and lot, and merged the $1,074 
into the church debt. I here append the release of said 
mortgage : 

"State of Maryland, Alleghany County, Maryland, 
to wit : I, Lloyd L. Shaffer, Clerk of the Circuit Court 
for Alleghany County, State aforesaid, certify that a 
mortgage from J. Robert Portmess for the Trustees 
and all Trustees of the Trinity M. E. Church, South, 
to W. Boyd Smith, of Cumberland, Md., for the sum of 
fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500), dated April 28th, 
1910, and recorded in mortgage, Record No. 51, folio 
406, one of the Records of said County, has been en- 
tered, released upon said Record. In testimony 
whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the 
seal of said Circuit Court this 10th day of October, 
1916. 

(Signed) "LLOYD L. SHAFFER, 

"Clerk E. H." 
At the official meeting held on the 27th of Novem- 
ber, 1916, A. W. Bealt was elected Steward and Mrs. 
Bessie Kalbaugh confirmed president of Trinity Senior 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



153 



League. At which time Trinity reported $374.25 and 
Agur Chapel $146.84, being enough to pay the Pre- 
siding Elder, preacher in charge, and junior preacher 
in full to date. This in part demonstrated the wisdom 
in securing the second man for the work. 

The further development of the church and ad- 
vanced ideas of the kingdom of Christ is shown by 
the Thanksgiving service, held November 30, when a 
congregation of devout worshipers of the Lord Je- 
hovah filled Trinity Church at 6.30 a. m., and at the 
conclusion of the song and prayer service laid a thank 
offering of $146.50 on the altar, which sum continued 
to grow till it reached $228.72. A union service was 
held at 10 a. m., at which time Rev. H. R. R. Reck, 
of Grace M. E. Church, Virginia Avenue, Cumber- 
land, preached an interesting and helpful sermon. 

The current year rapidly passing, Rev. H. A. Brown, 
Presiding Elder, held the Fourth Quarterly Confer- 
ence of the charge in Trinity Church, March 12th, 
1917. Rev. H. V. Wheeler, P. C, Rev. Geo. W. Kira- 
cof e, Jr. P., J. T. Chadwich, M. F. Davis, D. C. Twigg, 
J. E. Nixon, M. M. Rice, Geo. W. Holtzman, J. M. 
Shatzer, C. L. Heinrich, A. W. Bealt, Edgar S. Rice, 
William A Boyd, John E. Sansbower, and Howard J. 
Wagner, from Trinity; and Jacob T. Taylor, W. C. 
Light, I. G. McElfish, W. L. Pugh, T. E. Evans, 
Charles Schaffer, and E. E. Gerard, from Agur Chapel, 
were present. William A. Boyd and John E. Sans- 
bower were elected and added to the Trinity Board 
of Stewards ; Howard J. Wagner was elected Lay 
Leader at Trinity, and Walter Pugh, Lay Leader at 
Agur Chapel. 

These laborers were spured on by the results at- 
tending their efforts in the Master's vineyard. The 



154 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Leagues were full of vitality, had 86 members and 
raised $74.47. Trinity Sunday School had 17 on the 
Cradle Roll, 18 officers and teachers, 6 Wesley Bible 
classes and 300 scholars, making a total enrollment 
of 335 in all apartments, and raised by free-will offer- 
ing $104.15, for Missions, and for all purposes, $594.82, 
while Agur Chapel Sunday School had 28 on Cradle 
Roll, 11 officers and teachers and 104 scholars, making 
a total of 143 on roll, who raised $100 for missions and 
$149.27 for all purposes. 

Trinity Young Peoples' Missionary Society of 28 
members raised $54.99, while the Woman's Mission- 
ary Society, with 31 members, raised $143.89. 

The church, too, was careful, and looked well after 
its finances, paid on open account $35 and interest, 
amounting to $186.75, and on the principal $190.70, 
and salaries in full. 

The windows of heaven were opened and the spirit 
of power came down, resulting in a gracious revival 
of 46 professions of faith at Trinity and 20 at Agur 
Chapel. This success gave inspiration to the charge, 
so that both of the appointments felt that it was time 
for each of them to move out on independent lines. 

And inasmuch as Agur Chapel had a Sunday School 
of 143, a Woman's Missionary Society and a goodly 
membership, and the church had supported the junior 
preacher for the past eight months and were anxious 
to have a pastor of their own, and as Trinity had met 
her obligations, the Fourth Quarterly Conference of 
Trinity and Agur Chapels charge held on May 12th, 
1917, passed the following resolutions : 

"1. Be it resolved, That it is the sense of this Quar- 
terly Conference that Agur Chapel should be set apart, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 155 



a separate and independent charge, to be known as 
'Agur Chapel/ the Board of Stewards representing the 
members of that appointment agreeing to pay their 
pastor $550, providing the Baltimore Annual Confer- 
ence at its next session set them apart as a separate 
and independent charge; and further providing the 
Board of Missions will allow and give the charge 
$100 in support of their pastor, making the salary 
$650. They also agree that they will endeavor to re- 
duce that amount every year until the charge becomes 
self-supporting. 

"2. Resolved, That the Trinity Board of Stewards 
agree to fix their pastor's salary for the ensuing year at 
$1,200 and withdraw from the Board of Missions. 

"3. Resolved, That Rev. H. A. Brown, Presiding 
Elder of the Moorefield District, of which this work 
is a part, be and is hereby requested to present these 
resolutions to the ensuing Annual Conference, and take 
such other steps as may be necessary to accomplish this 
end." 

The Presiding Elder presented the resolutions to 
the Conference and it set Agur Chapel off as a sepa- 
rate and independent charge. 

The Easter service, held in Trinity Church, April 
8th, 1917, was an interesting occasion. The church 
was tastily decorated with potted plants. The attend- 
ance was large, and the pastor delivered an impressive 
sermon, after which two persons were received on 
profession of faith, and a free-will offering taken 
which resulted in $226. 

The recently appointed Presiding Elder of the 
Moorefield District, Rev. Geo. W. Richardson, held 
Trinity's first Quarterly Conference for the current 



155 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



year on the 23rd of April, 1917. Rev. H. V. Wheeler, 
P. C. ; J. T. Chadwich, Geo. W. Holtzman, M. M. Rice, 
J. M. Shatzer, C. L. Heinrich, John E. Sandbowers, 
A. M. Bealt, William Boyd, J. E. Nixon, D. C. Twigg, 
Edgar S. Rcie, H. J. Wagner, Geo. O. Arnett, Taylor 
Twigg, and John Nesbit were present, and in conform- 
ity with a resolution passed at the last Fourth Quar- 
terly Conference, the stewards set their pastor's salary 
at $1,200. 

Millard F. Davis, one of the founders of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, South, in Cumberland, in 1898, 
a charter member of Trinity Church, Grand Avenue ; 
a steward and trustee from the beginning; in whose 
house the early official meetings were held, and the 
Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann was domiciled while founding 
the church, quietly and peacefully passed over the 
river on the 26th of April, 1917, to join his comrades 
who had gone before, in Church Triumphant. 

On July 22nd John E. Grim was elected trustee of 
Trinity Church instead of M. F. Davis, deceased. At 
this time the church was in great favor with God and 
man, a gracious revival through which it had recently 
passed, resulting in 17 accessions on profession of 
faith, and 11 by certificates. It also added new inter- 
est in its various departments, viz : The mid-week 
prayer meeting had an average attendance of 70, while 
the "Safety First" Bible Class had grown to 61 mem- 
bers and the Sunday School had an average attend- 
ance of 382. And, inasmuch as they had paid $161, 
being interest in full to date, and $145 on the principal, 
it is evident their finances were in good condition. 

About this time a new feature was introduced in the 
church at large, viz., the "District Missionary Insti- 
tute." The Presiding Elder of the Moorefield District 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 157 

held the Moorefield District Missionary Institute in 
Trinity Church, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, October 
23-24, at which time and place Rev. W. W. White, 
pastor of Calvary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. 
Va., spoke with much earnestness on the Missionary 
enterprise; Rev. R. C. Maxwell, pastor of the M. E. 
Church, South, Frostburg, Md., delivered an excellent 
address on prayer as an essential factor in mission 
work; Rev. J. M. York, pastor of Central M. E. 
Church, South, Cumberland, accomplished a difficult 
feat in an impromptu address for an absent speaker 
(Rev. H. V. Wheeler, pastor of Trinity M. E. Church, 
South, in which the meeting was being held), elab- 
orately presenting the missionary operation in the 
Moorefield District, showing exactly the amount given 
per capita, and the amount the District received ; while 
Rev. J. H. Wells, pastor of Harrisonburg M. E. 
Church, South, and Missionary Secretary of the Bal- 
timore Annual Conference, delivered two eloquent ad- 
dresses on the Missionary Work of the Church. 

The Third Quarterly Conference for the current 
year of 1917 was a joint meeting of Calvary, Ridge- 
ley, W. Va., Central, and Trinity, Cumberland, Md., 
which was held in Trinity, on the 26th of October, 
1917, at which Rev. Geo. W. Richardson, Presiding 
Elder, read and gave an excellent exegesis of the 
XXII Psalm, and led in prayer, after which each 
church elected its secretary and in turn each pastor 
responded to the questions as asked by the Presiding 
Elder. 

From the outset and the large attendance of business 
men, it was evident that there was more than ordinary 
interest in the meeting, and when Rev. H. V. Wheeler 



158 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



brought out the fact that there was a movement on 
foot which would open up a new section to Cumber- 
land, Rev. J. M. York said he understood that the 
coming of the proposed tire plant to Cumberland 
would bring at least 7,000 workmen and add about 
20,000 to its present population, Mr. E. Lee Shaw and 
other members of the Quarterly Conference spoke in 
the most assuring manner of the prospect, and all were 
convinced that there was an open door for our church 
in that part of the city. Rev. J. H. Kuhlmann, the pio- 
neer of our present work in Cumberland, being pres- 
ent, urged that the situation be seized immediately. 

Whereupon, a committee was elected, consisting of 
Revs. G. W. Richardson, H. V. Wheeler, J. M. York, 
W. W. White, G. R. Kiracofe, E. Lee Shaw, J. T. 
Vandergraft, G. W. Holtzman, and I. G. McElfish, 
to be known as the "City Board of Church Extension 
of Cumberland, Md.," to look after and secure option 
on an eligible site in that part of the city being opened 
up. At 2 p. m. on the next day the committee viewed 
the field and appointed Mr. E. Lee Shaw to take all 
necessary steps to secure option on certain desirable 
lots. 

Another interesting occasion in the history of Trin- 
ity Church came on November 29th, 1917, when the 
thank offering amounted to $1,168.75. And on Febru- 
ary 1st, 1918, the record shows the church was not 
only meeting its incidental and current expenses, but 
had paid $49.40 on open accounts, $111.95 to the Red 
Cross movement, $1,525.59 on the principal and in- 
terest in full to February 4th, 1918. 

The Cumberland Times said: 

"The Sunday School of Trinity M. E. Church, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 159 



South, Cumberland, Md., during the year of 1917-18 
made an average missionary offering of $25.80 for 11 
months, so that when special efforts were made to have 
the largest contribution at the close of the Conference 
year. It meant sacrifice on the part of many ; neverthe- 
less, they entered upon it with zeal ; and consequently 
the collection broke all previous records. For on March 
3rd, 1918, the Mizpah Class, with 18 young ladies in it, 
presented an offering of $61 ; Safety First, the Men's 
Bible Class, came second with $58.92. Tke whole 
school did well, as it presented $200, all of which was 
a free-will offering. 

"Peace and prosperity was the legacy of the church, 
and consequently members were constantly added 
on profession of faith and by certificates, until its 
membership had reached 363." 

Beautiful and interesting services were held on April 
14th, 1898, at which time the Easter free-will offering 
amounted to $402.25. 

The first Quarterly Conference of the charge for the 
current year 1918-19 was held in Trinity Church on 
the 22nd of May, at which time a further development 
of the church is shown in advancing the Presiding 
Elder's salary to $100, and the pastor's salary to 
$1,400; and further shown by the $61 offering made 
the Red Cross on July 2nd. 

About this time the church at large caught a broader 
vision of the needs and possibility of extending the 
kingdom of Christ, and launched a more vigorous ef- 
fort known as the "Centenary Program." The pastor 
of Trinity, being interested in the onward march of the 
church, presented the Centenary Program to his con- 
gregation on the 27th of October, which resulted in 



160 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



the observance of a week of prayer, from November 
3rd to 10th, and concluded with a sermon by Rev. 
C. D. Harris, D. D., editor of the Baltimore Southern 
Methodist, who secured 25 subscribers to the Confer- 
ence paper. 

For 15 years Trinity congregation had borne a debt 
of $1,070 on its parsonage and on erecting its beautiful 
auditorium it became necessary to make a very much 
larger debt, but they reduced it from time to time till 
they got it down to $3,700, about which time the pastor 
was offered the liberal gift of $1,000, providing the 
church would liquidate all indebtedness against it. 
He talked the matter over with his people, and they 
consented to accept the proposition; they prayed in 
private, and held public prayer services, asking the 
Lord to open the way so that each would freely give 
of the means in their hands. 

In the meantime the pastor was laying plans for a 
real thanksgiving offering on November 28th, 1918, at 
which time Rev. G. W. Richardson, Presiding Elder, 
of the Moorefield District, of which Trinity was a 
part, was on hand to take part in this interesting oc- 
casion. The intense interest was such that the congre- 
gation began assembling early, so that by 6 A. M., the 
appointed hour of service, a large and interested audi- 
ence was present. Many who could not attend the 
services, on passing left their contribution, and when 
the offerings were added, $3,300 was found on the 
plates, and during the day increased to $3,921, so that 
they were assured of the gift of $1,000, and were 
thereby enabled to pay off all indebtedness against both 
the church and the parsonage. Thus, November 28th, 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



161 



1918, became a red-letter day in the history of Trinity 
M. E. Church, South, Cumberland, Md. 

With joy and rejoicing that the burden of long 
standing had been lifted from their shoulders, on De- 
cember 5 th members and friends came laden with all 
manner of good things to the parsonage as an expres- 
sion of their appreciation of their pastor, who had been 
instrumental in relieving them of the debt. 

On December 15th the Baltimore & Ohio shop men 
attended service at Trinity and presented Rev. H. V. 
Wheeler with a purse of $165, thereby showing their 
gratitude for the attention he had shown them. 

But Trinity congregation had so long been active it 
could not be content at ease, so it immediately began 
improvements on the parsonage by repairs and install- 
ing electric lights, a new range and a new hot-air fur- 
nace, at a cost of $94.62. And on Christmas day, De- 
cember 25th, 1918, Trinity Sunday School made a real 
Christmas gift by raising $56 for the Syrian and Ar- 
menian Relief Fund. 

The church, freed of debt, the long anticipated event, 
the dedication of Trinity M. E. Church, South, Grand 
Avenue, Cumberland, Md., came on January 12th, 

1919. The morning was clear and mild, with golden 
strands across the eastern skies. Agur Chapel and 
Central, in order to be present and participate with the 
mother church on the happy occasion, withdrew their 
services. The assembly began gathering early in the 
morning, so that before the appointed hour of service 
the house was crowded to overflowing. 

Rev. G. W. Richardson, Presiding Elder, of the 
Moorefield District; Rev. J. M. York, pastor of Cen- 
tral M. E. Church, South, South George Street, Cum- 



162 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



berland, Md. ; Rev. W. W. Mclntire, pastor of Agur 
Chapel M. E. Church, South, Humbird Street, Cum- 
berland ; and Rev. R. V. Wheeler, pastor of the church 
being dedicated, occupied seats about the pulpit, and 
took part in the services at 11 a. m. Rev. H. M. Can- 
ter, D. D., Presiding Elder of Washington District, 
preached the dedicatory, a soul-stirring sermon, to a 
large and attentive audience, which, together with the 
sweet consolation that they were going to present to 
the Lord a temple costing $12,000, free of debt, and 
built from the beginning to its completion of free-will 
offerings, created an overflow of gratitude, so that it 
was said by one who was present : 

"It was my pleasure on the morning of January 12th 
instant to be in Trinity Church and listen to a great 
sermon on 'The Power of Prayer,' preached to a large 
and appreciative audience. It was a joyous time to me. 
Though I am not one of the flock, I have been inter- 
ested in this congregation and have been moved to 
tears of joy as I have witnessed the life-giving power 
of Christ putting new life into these people, as they 
have been led on from grace to grace by the man of 
God, Harry V. Wheeler. And when Dr. Canter, with 
face radiant with glory, after preaching such a soul- 
stirring sermon, read the dedicatory service, it was 
with the greatest effort that I kept from praising God 
aloud in the sanctuary." 

These services were followed with a series of meet- 
ings, till February 16th, which resulted in 15 conver- 
sions, 13 accessions on profession of faith and four 
by certificates. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 163 

On January 25th the congregation presented their 
pastor with a purse of $66, a birthday present, and on 
February 13th the Official Board increased their pas- 
tor's salary from $1,400 to $1,500. 



12 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Agur Chapel. 

The Baltimore Annual Conference, M. E. Church, 
South, commenced its one hundred and thirty-second 
session in Green Memorial Church, Roanoke, Va., 
March 28th, 1917, with Bishop W. B. Murrah, presi- 
dent of the Conference, in the chair. 

During the session it heard the petition from the 
Fourth Quarterly Conference of Trinity Church, 
Grand Avenue, and Agur Chapel, Humbird Street, 
both of Cumberland, Md., requesting their separation 
and establishing Agur Chapel an independent charge, 
and inasmuch as the separation was shown agreeable 
and desired by both churches, and as Agur Chapel had 
a Sunday School with 28 on the Cradle Roll, 12 offi- 
cers and teachers, 2 Wesley Bible Classes, and 144 in 
all departments, and had raised $77, and had two Mis- 
sionary Societies, a Junior and Senior League, and a 
church membership of 118, who had paid the junior 
preacher or its pastor for the past eight months' serv- 
ice $312. 

The Conference approved the request, and set Agur 
Chapel apart from Trinity and made it a separate and 
independent station ; and on the 2nd of April appointed 
Rev. G. R. Kiracofe preacher in charge. The young 
preacher returned with love in his heart for the Mas- 
ter's cause, and zeal to see what could be accomplished 
by the church. 



164 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 165 



That part of the Board of Stewards elected at the 
Fourth Quarterly Conference of Trinity and Agur 
Chapels, March 12th, 1917, living within the bounds 
of Agur Chapel, and consisting of Jacob T. Taylor, 
Thomas F. Evans, I. G. McElfish, W. L. Pugh, W. C. 
Light, Charles SchafTer, and Homer Burch, at the call 
of the pastor met in Agur Chapel the 16th of April, 
1917, and organized by electing J. T. Taylor, presi- 
dent; T. F. Evans, secretary, and I. G. McElfish, 
treasurer. 

The first Quarterly Conference for the new charge, 
"Agur Chapel," was held in joint conference with the 
mother church, Trinity, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, 
on the 23rd of April, 1917. Rev. G. R. Kiracofe, P. 
C, J. T. Taylor, I. G. McElfish, W. L. Pugh, and J. P. 
Shriver were present. 

The Sunday School superintendent and stewards 
elected at the Fourth Quarterly Conference of Trinity 
and Agur Chapel, on the 12th of March, 1917, were con- 
firmed, and T. F. Evans was elected recording stew- 
ard, and Rev. G. R. Kiracofe chairman of the Building 
Committee instead of Rev. H. V. Wheeler. Together 
with the $100 promised by the Board of Missions, the 
stewards set their pastor's salary at $650. 

The Sunday School was growing and the congrega- 
tion large, hence the work moved along encouragingly, 
so that it became evident that it would be wise to se- 
cure another lot in order to have room for a parson- 
age, and on October 27th Rev. G. R. Kiracofe and 
I. G. McElfish were elected a committee to secure 
option on Lot No. 229 on the north side of Humbird 
Street adjoining Agur Chapel property, which they 
did at an early date. Rev. G. R. Kiracofe married 



166 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



soon after returning, and as the charge did not have 
a parsonage, he rented rooms. The first year, as an 
independent work, was one full of interest, and they 
raised for all purposes $1,347. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



Agur Chapel. 

At the Baltimore Conference, held in Central 
Church, Baltimore, on the 8th of April, 1918, Rev. 
W. W. Mclntyre fell heir to the pastorate of Agur 
Chapel, and on arriving recognized that there was 
much to be done. As the charge was without a par- 
sonage and as there was property, a double six-room 
house, on the south side of Humbird Street, just op- 
posite Agur Chapel, for sale at $2,500, he induced the 
Official Board to purchase it, and put $510 worth of 
furniture in it, where he and his family became com- 
fortably quartered. The committee appointed October 
27th, 1917, to secure option on the lot adjoining Agur 
Chapel did so, and later purchased the same for $300. 

"This deed, made this 26th day of September, 1918, 
by and between J. Wilson Humbird and Fannie Hum- 
bird, his wife, both of Garrett County, in the State of 
Maryland, parties of the first part, and Agur Chapel 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Allegany 
County, in the State of Maryland, party of the second 
part. 

"Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of $300 
the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledge by the par- 
ties of the first part, do hereby give, grant, bargain 
and sell, release, convey and confirm unto the said 
party of the second part, its heirs and assigns, all that 

167 

12K 



168 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



piece or parcel of land situated and lying in said Al- 
legany County, State of Maryland, described as fol- 
lows : 

"Beginning for the same, on the north side of Hum- 
bird Street, at the end of the first line of lot No. 228, 
and running thence with said street south 53^ degrees 
east 30 feet, thence north 36^ degrees east 125 feet 
to an alley, and with it north 53^4 degrees west 30 feet 
to the end of the second line of lot No. 228, and with it 
reversed south 36^2 degrees west 125 feet to the be- 
ginning. 

"The same being part of a large tract of land con- 
veyed to J. Wilson Humbird by Hellen B. Graham et 
ah, by deed dated April 27th, 1891, and recorded in 
T. L. No. 70, folio 1, one of the Land Records of 
Allegany County, Maryland. 

"The land hereby conveyed, is on the plat of the 
Humbird Land & Improvement Company of Cumber- 
land, Maryland, and is recorded in Liber T. L. No. 73, 
folio, of the County aforesaid. 

"The table of courses and distances of the lots on 
the plat of the aforesaid Humbird Land Improvement 
Company ; is recorded in Liber T. L. No. 84, folio 67, 
one of the land records of Allegany County, Md. 

"Together with the buildings and improvements 
thereon, and the rights, roads, ways, waters, privileges 
and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise 
appertaining. 

"To have and to hold the above granted property 
unto the said parties of the second part, its heirs and 
assigns forever. 

"And the said parties of the first part hereby cove- 
nant with the parties of the second part that they will 
warrant specailly the property hereby conveyed, and 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



169 



that they will execute such other and further assur- 
ances of said land as may be necessary." 
The above is signed by 

J. WILSON HUMBIRD and 
FANNIE HUMBIRD, His Wife. 

And attested 

J. B. HUMBIRD. 
" State of Maryland, Allegany County, to wit : 
"I hereby certify, that on this 26th day of Septem- 
ber, in the year 1918, before me, the subscriber, a 
Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and 
for Allegany County aforesaid, personally appeared J. 
Wilson Humbird and Fannie Humbird, his wife, and 
did each acknowledge the foregoing instrument to be 
their act and deed. 

(Signed) "J. B. HUMBIRD, 

"Justice of the Peace." 

The Chapel being too small to accommodate either 
the Sunday School or congregation, it was evident that 
something must be done to enlarge it ; and as the com- 
mittee appointed January 31st, 1916, had not acted, 
another Building Committee was elected on November 
1st, 1918, consisting of Rev. W. W. Mclntyre, P. C, 
I. G. McElfish, W. L. Pugh, and J. P. Shriver. They 
at once decided to add a building 20 by 37 feet to the 
rear of the Chapel, and thereby made the auditorium 
25 by 55 feet, with a Bible Class room 12 by 20 feet. 
Looking forward to this enterprise they had already 
been at work soliciting contributions and had $331.61 
in hand. On the 10th of the month the Official Board 
decided to change the name of the church from "Agur 
Chapel" to "Emmanuel." 

"This deed, made this fifteenth day of November, in 
the year 1918, by and between Francis A. Pouder and 
Grace Marion Pouder, his wife, of Berkley County, 



170 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



in the State of West Virginia, parties of the first part, 
and the Trustees of Agur Chapel Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, of Cumberland, Allegany County, Md., 
a corporate body duly incorporated under the laws of 
the State of Maryland, party of the second part. 

"Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of $2,500 
lawful money of the United States of America, well 
and duly paid by the party of the second part to the 
said parties of the first part, which is hereby acknowl- 
edged, the said parties of the first part have granted, 
bargained, and sold, and by these presents do give, 
grant, bargain and sell and convey unto the said party 
of the second part, all those two lots or parcels of 
ground situated on the south side of Humbird Street, 
in the City of Cumberland, Allegany County, Md., 
known and designated as Lots Nos. 294 and 295, on 
the plat of the Humbird Land & Improvement Com- 
pany, and particularly described as follows : 

"Beginning on the south side of Humbird Street, 
at the end of the first line of Lot No. 293, on said plat, 
and running thence with said Humbird Street 53^2 
degrees east 60 feet, thence south 36^ degrees west 
125 feet to an alley, and with it north 53^4 degrees 
west 60 feet to the end of the second line of said lot 
No. 293, and with it reversed north 36^ degrees east 
125 feet to the place of beginning. 

"It being the same property conveyed to the said 
Francis A. Pouder and Grace M. Pouder, his wife, by 
Pierce N. Noland and wife, by deed dated September 
15th, 1910, and recorded in Liber No. 106, folio 606, 
of the Land Record of Allegany County. 

"Together with the buildings and improvements 
thereon, and the rights, roadways, water privileges and 
appurtenances thereunto belonging or any wise apper- 
taining. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 171 



"To have and to hold the same unto the said parties 
of the second part, its successors, and assigns, in trust, 
that such premises shall be held, kept, maintained and 
disposed of as a place of residence for the use and 
occupancy of the preachers of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, who may from time to time be ap- 
pointed in said place; subject to the usage and disci- 
pline of said church, as from time to time authorized 
by the General Conference of said church and the An- 
nual Conference within whose bounds the said prem- 
ises are situated. 

"Witness our hands and seals this day and year 
aforesaid. 

"FRANCIS A. POUDER, 
"GRACE MARION POUDER. 

"Witness : "W. W. COLE. 

"State of Maryland, Allegany County, to wit : 

"I hereby certify that on this fifteenth day of No- 
vember, in the year 1918, before me, the subscriber, a 
Notary Public of the State of Maryland in and for 
Allegany County, personally appeared Francis A. 
Pouder and Grace Marion Pouder, his wife, and each 
acknowledged the aforesaid instrument to be their re- 
spective act and deed. Witnessed by 

"W. W. COLE." 

Having already learned the best way to promote the 
Master's cause is by free-will offerings, arrangements 
were made for a Thanksgiving service on November 
25th, 1918, which resulted in an offering of $172. As 
a token of esteem the congregation at Agur Chapel 
presented their pastor, Rev. W. W. Mclntyre, with a 
handsome gold watch and chain, costing $50, and the 
Junior Bible Class, of which he was teacher, with a 
beautiful umbrella Christmas gift December 25th, 
1918. 



172 



HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



The work readily responded to energetic hands, and 
the improvements steadily grew, so that February 2nd, 
1919, was set apart as the day for reopening or dedica- 
tion. The interest was so great and the determination 
so resolute, that the builders worked all Friday night 
and Saturday till the going down of the sun, in order 
to have the church completed by the appointed time. 
The day of dedication was clear and the air crispy. 
Rev. H. V. Wheeler closed Trinity Church in order 
that he and his congregation might unite with their 
daughter in celebrating this noted occasion. He, to- 
gether with the pastor and the Presiding Elder, occu- 
pied the pulpit. 

The services were opened at 11 a. m. by singing 
hymn 667 ; then Rev. H. V. Wheeler made the opening- 
prayer, after which the congregation united in singing 
hymn 662. Then Rev. Geo. W. Richardson, of Rom- 
ney, W. Va., Presiding Elder of the Moorefield Dis- 
trict, preached an excellent sermon from the text: 
"And I say also unto thee, that thou are Peter, and 
upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates 
of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:18. 

At the close of the sermon it was stated that the im- 
provements had cost $2,300, all of which had been 
paid except $600, and that by raising that amount the 
church could be dedicated unto the Lord ; whereupon 
the people proved that they were only waiting an op- 
portunity to show their generosity, for when the col- 
lection was taken and counted it was found that they 
had laid $717 on the plates, $117 more than necessary. 
After which Rev. G. W. Richardson set the church 
apart from all unhallowed usage by the use of our 
beautiful church ritual. The meeting was protracted 
and resulted in 24 conversions. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



Calvary. 

Rev. Ernest W. Aaron was appointed on April 8th, 
1918, to Calvary, Ridgeley, W. Va., and on arriving all 
he found was the lot on which the skeleton of the 
former beautiful church stood, amid heaps of ashes 
and brickbats, and $360 to begin work on. However, 
instead of this discouraging him, it seemed to awaken 
all of his latent energy and zeal, so he set himself 
vigorously to the task before him. 

The First Quarterly Conference was held in the 
Tabernacle formerly occupied by the U. B. Church, 
Ridgeley, W. Va., May 24th, 1918. Rev. G. W. Rich- 
ardson, P. E., Rev. E. W. Aaron, P. C, W. Everstine, 
W. S. Moore, C. A. Jewell, J. W. Monnett, and the 
Building Committee, J. W. Shepherd, E. E. Biggs, and 
H. R. Knight, were present. The plans of the new 
church were drawn by George F. Sansbury, of Cum- 
berland, Md., and the first estimates were something 
over $9,000 ; however, before finishing it, the cost far 
exceeded these figures. 

Owing to the distressed condition of the congrega- 
tion, Rev. C. M. Hesser, a member of the Baltimore 
Annual Conference and representative of the Board 
of Church Extension, visited the scene and in order 
to encourage them to get on their feet again, proposed 
that if they would raise $1,300 by the day the church 
was opened, the Board of Church Extension would 
donate $1,300. 



173 



174 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



The offer was accepted, and in the month of Ma>, 
while worshiping in the Tabernacle, an appeal was 
made to the congregation, and although not large nor 
of great means, it readily and liberally responded, so 
that in a few minutes $1,200 was secured in cash and 
subscriptions; after which a committee was appointed 
to continue soliciting in order to get the offered help. 

All the while the work went on about the founda T 
tion, and when once the debris was removed it was not 
long before the foundation was completed, and at 11 
a. m., on June 3rd, 1918, in the presence of Mrs. Fred 
Hadra, Mrs. Elmer Biggs, charter members of the 
first church, and Willard Everstine, J. W. Shepherd, 
Elmer E. Biggs, H. R. Knight, Mrs. J. L. Biggs, Mrs. 
W. N. Gower, and W. N. Beiler; assisted by Rev. H. 
R. Wheeler and Rev. J. M. York, pastors of Trinity 
and Central Churches, Cumberland, Md. ; Rev. E. W. 
Aaron, pastor of the church, in the use of the beautiful 
and appropriate ritual of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South laid the corner stone of the Third Cal- 
vary M. E. Church, South, Ridgeley, W. Va. 

The following articles were placed in the cavity of 
the stone : A copy of the New Testament, a copy of 
the Baltimore Southern Methodist, copies of The News 
and The Evening Times, Cumberland daily papers, a 
few coins of U. S. money in circulation at that time, 
the names of the members of the Official Board, the 
names of the Building Committee, the names of Bishop 
E. R. Hendrix, Rev. George W. Richardson, P. E. of 
the Moorefield District; Rev. E. W. Aaron, pas- 
tor of the church, and the name of the elect lady, 

, who became his bride on the 25th of 

June, 1918. He was a busy man indeed, but not too 
busy to court, to woo, and to win. He needed help to 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



175 



bear the burdens, and console him when chafed on 
every side. Besides, a precedent had been set, for Rev. 
J. H. Kuhlmann married in the very midst of laying 
the foundation of Cumberland and Ridgeley work ; 
Rev. C. H. Cannon married in less than three months 
after being assigned to Trinity, and Geo. R. Kiracofe 
married shortly after being put in charge of Agur 
Chapel. 

In July the Calvary congregation moved from the 
Tabernacle to Mr. I. H. Baine's storeroom, on Nobly 
Street, where it remained until the church was ready 
for occupancy. The deed for Ridgeley parsonage was 
secured on August 14th. 

"This deed, made this 14th day of August, 1918, by 
James T. Vandegrift and Grace C. Vandegrift, his 
wife, both of Ridgeley, Mineral County, W. Va., of 
the first part, and Archibald J. Allen, B. W. O'Rourke, 
W. L. McFarland, J. W. Shepherd, and O. W. Sum- 
mers, Trustees of Calvary M. E. Church, South, in the 
town of Ridgeley aforesaid, grantees, of the second 
part. 

"Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the 
sum of twenty-nine hundred and thirty-four dollars 
($2,934), cash in hand paid, the receipt of which is 
hereby acknowledged, the parties of the first part have 
granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed and by these 
presents do bargain, sell, convey and grant unto the 
parties of the second part as such Trustees as afore- 
said, all of that lot or parcel of ground in the town of 
Ridgeley aforesaid, and designated as Lot No. 8, Van- 
degrift's First Addition to the town of Ridgeley, W. 
Va., fronting on Knobley Street and extending back to 
diagonal alley. The frontage on Knobley Street, being 
26 feet and adjoins the lot on which Calvary M. E. 



176 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Church, South, aforesaid is located; being the same 
lot or parcel of ground as was conveyed to the said 
James T. Vandegrift by Benjamine R. Valentine and 
Amanda M. Valentine, his wife, by their deed dated 
October 9th, 1911, and recorded in Deed Book No. 32, 
page 128 of the Land Records for Mineral County 
aforesaid, reference to which is hereby made for a 
fuller and more complete description of said land 
herein and hereby conveyed. 

"Together with all of the buildings and improve- 
ments thereon, including the dwelling house now used 
as a parsonage, and the road, and street rights, water 
privileges and appurteances, thereunto belonging or 
in any wise appertaining. 

"In trust, that such premises shall be held, kept, 
maintained and disposed of as a place of residence for 
the use and occupancy of the ministers of the M. E. 
Church, South, who may be from time to time ap- 
pointed to said church, subject to the usage and disci- 
pline of said church, as from time to time authorized 
and declared by the General Conference within whose 
bounds said premises are situated." 

The above deed is signed and sealed by James T. 
Vendegrift and Grace C. Vandegrift in the presence of 
the proper authority. 

"I, L. P. Walker, a Notary Public in and for the 
State and County aforesaid, do certify that the above 
named James T. Vandegrift and Grace C. Vandegrift, 
his wife, whose names are signed to the above deed, 
bearing date the 14th day of August, 1918, have this 
day acknowledged the same before me in my said 
County and State as their respective act and deed. 

"Given under my hand and Notarial Seal this 14th 
day of August, 1918. 

P. WALKER." 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



177 



Of which $534 was paid in cash ; the balance, $2,400, 
was secured and paid by giving mortgage for the same. 

On the 3rd of November, 1918, a second appeal was 
made to the Calvary congregation, which in cash and 
subscription resulted in $1,150. Then all attention 
was turned toward the Thanksgiving free-will offer- 
ing of November, 1918, which in cash and subscription 
amounted to $4,665. 

Those most interested in Calvary Church watcher 
her with an anxious eye rise from a heap of ashes to 
a beautiful structure, and the workmen were faithful 
to their task till it came to completion. 

It is 42 by 70 feet, two-story, with tower in center 
front 8 by 10 feet, and 65 feet high. The foundation 
is cement, and walls brick and roof slate, with a large 
window in first story over front door in the center of 
the building, and a window 3 by 10 on each side of 
it. And also a window on both sides of first story the 
same size. And in the front of the second story there 
is a circular window in center, with one 3 by 10 on each 
side of it. These together with the side windows in 
second story are all art glass, while the windows in the 
Sunday School apartment are maze glass. 

Through the front door, in center of building, you 
enter the vestibule ; and from the vestibule you enter 
the Sunday School apartment, which is on the first 
floor, and is 38 by 50 feet, with ceiling 12 feet high. 
It has a seating capacity of 350, and is so arranged 
that it may be divided into several class rooms. It is 
well heated and lighted. 

In the rear of the Sunday School apartment there is 
a furnace room 12 by 38 feet, in which is installed a 
heating plant and an electric system that heats and 



178 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



generates light for lighting the church. Recently elec- 
tric lights have been put in the church. 

The auditorium is on the second floor, which may 
be entered either by a stairway from the Sunday 
School apartment, or a stairway from either side of 
the front door in the vestibule on first floor. It is 
38 by 50, with gothic ceiling and approximately has 
a seating capacity of 375. The floor is of hardwood 
and is inclined, has two aisles leading to a spacious 
altar, pulpit platform and choir loft. Pews, altar and 
pulpit furniture all corresponds. The new church was 
christened by the Sunday School holding its Christmas 
entertainment in it on the 31st of December, 1918. 

The opening day, January 12th, 1919, was beautiful, 
calm and mild; the village people came hurriedly from 
their homes to their recently erected temple, so that by 
7.30 p. m. the church was comfortably filled. Rev. 
G. W. Richardson, Presiding Elder of the Moorefield 
District, was with Rev. E. W. Aaron, the pastor, in the 
pulpit and preached a very appropriate sermon from 
Nehemiah 6 :3 ; after which the congregation was given 
an opportunity to make an offering toward liquidating 
the debt on the church, which in cash and subscription 
amounted to $325. And in addition Miss Thelma 
Moore's Sunday School Class gave the church hand- 
some collection plates ; Miss Ethel Albrought's class 
presented it with hymn books ; Mrs. Aaron's class gave 
the communion service ; Mrs. Meetre, of Cumberland, 
gave the pulpit Bible ; and Mr. B. W. O'Rourke an ele- 
gant communion table, in memory of his deceased wife, 
and Rev. E. W. Aaron gave the bulletin board. 

The following is an itemized account of the expenses 
in building the Third Calvary M. E. Church, South, 
in Ridgeley, W. Va. : 



3 

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IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 179 

Geo. Sansburg, architect's plan $100.00 

H. Buchanan Son's Co 2,143.22 

Cumberland Lumber Co 1,069.85 

W. C. Light, rough lumber 713.12 

South Cumberland Planing Mill 84.78 

J. W. Smith, brick, labor, scaffolds 1,310.00 

W. H. Deetz, labor, laths, plastering 570.75 

Cumberland Cement Co 1,365.59 

G. A. Brinker, slate roof 612,30 

Queen City Brick Co 475.38 

J. B. Williams, angle irons, etc 435.00 

G. F. Schultz, gas and sewer piping 148.75 

Flint-Stone Hardware Co 132.06 

Wilcox Co., hardware, folding doors 74.64 

A. A. Roeder, cut stone 70.00 

J. George Zilk, metal work 84.15 

R. E. Saum, metal work 32.30 

Kenneweg Co., lead and oil 23.16 

Mathew Paint Co., for paints 55.25 

Pittsburg Plate Glass Co., windows 299.08 

Cincinnati Bell Co., for bell 94.48 

McMullin Bros., muslin for windows 10.00 

Hauling sand, gravel, brick etc 374.02 

William Morehead & Sons 10.94 

Murray McKaig 6.86 

Labor, common and skilled 2,617.35 

J. I. Vandegrirt, commission 831.04 

Express and freight 131.63 

Miscellaneous items 102.73 



Cost of Church $13,978.43 

Furniture 1,689.13 

Furnace 650.00 

Electric system 769.58 



Total cost of Church $17,087.14 



13 



180 HISTORY OF SOUTHERN METHODISM 



Received from Church Ex 

Cash on hand 

Amount raised 



$1,300.00 
360.00 
3,127.14 



4,787.14 



Total debt on Church 



$11,300.00 



The church raised and paid $550 interest, $165.35 
insurance, and $3,127.14 on church building; a total 
of $3,842.49, besides current expenses. 

Their sacrifices and labors were soon rewarded by 
the Lord of the harvest by the outpouring of His Spirit 
upon the revival services, resulting in 78 professions of 
faith. The 9th of February 1919, will long be remem- 
bered by the members of Calvary, when 19 persons, 
mostly adults, gathered about the altar of the new 
church, and consecrated the rest of their days to God 
and the church. Besides, some 40 children were re- 
tained in a class for further instruction before being 
received into the church. The gracious outpouring 
of the Spirit and comforts of the new church greatly 
increased the congregation, and its activities were con- 
spicuous along all lines. For instance, in a short time 
the Junior League had grown to 40 members, the 
Senior League to 50 members and the church to 285 
members. That their finances were in good shape, 
they paid the Presiding Elder $62 and the preacher in 
charge $850. 

On the 31st of March, 1919, Rev. J. H. Billingsley 
was appointed to Trinity, Grand Avenue, Cumberland, 
Md., where a warm welcome and a congregation that 
filled the church, awaited him. Their fidelity to God, 
the church and their spiritual appetite is demonstrated 
by an attendance from 80 to 100 on his mid-week 
prayer meeting and the filling of the sanctuary on the 
Sabbath day. 



IN CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND 



181 



The pastor's salary was set at $1,600 ; but as the 
church continued growing they paid $1,700, and beau- 
tified the church by frescoing the interior. In 1920 
the salary was advanced to $1,800. The appointment 
is abreast in missions and all the activities of the 
church. 

Rev. B. V. Switzer was appointed to Central, Cum- 
berland, Md., in 1919. He was cordially received and 
soon won a warm place in the hearts of his people. 
His salary was set at $1,800, and advanced in 1920 to 
$2,000. 

On looking after the interests of the church he 
found there was a note of several hundred dollars 
held by the Winter's family against the church, and 
through his influence the congregation met the obliga- 
tion, so that now the church is entirely free from all 
indebtedness. 

May the great God of heaven Who promised good 
to Israel, and looked upon our small beginning with 
favor, carry on the good work to His honor and glory. 
Oh! reader, if not a Christian, and He has saved 
others, shall He not save you, too? 



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Henry Shriver 
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J. T. Griffith 
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Henry Shriver J. L. Griffith 

Geo. Schwarzenbach Thomas B. Finan 
L,. Leslie Helmer William Pearre 

Hugh A. McMullen 



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Tasker G. Lowndes, President 
A. G. McElfish, Cashier 
Carl F. Schmutz, Assistant Cashier 
Miss Ilda F. Kalbaugh, Notary Public 

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ORGANIZED IN 1898 



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Interior Finish, 
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But its Name connects it with the Earliest 
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HOME OF HART, SCHAFFER & MARX 
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PHONOGRAPHS 
THE ONE PRICE STORE 

XLhc Ibollanb Co. 

131 Baltimore Street, 
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MANUFACTURERS AND JOBBBERS 

Feed 
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MANUFACTURER OF 
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ALWAYS FRIENDLY 



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Offer Their Patrons Quality, Satisfaction in Work and 
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With a Branch Office or Agency 
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Pastern ^arglani* ^Cumber (Ea 

SASH, DOORS AND SIDING 
CEILING, LATHS AND FELT ROOFING, 
CORNELL WOOD BOARD, ETC. 
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Telephone, 149 



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118 Baltimore Street, 
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YOU GET THE BEST 
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94 Baltimore Street. Cumberland, Md. 



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Proprietors 



MERCHANDISE TO YOUR 
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COURTEOUS AND EFFICIENT 
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HOT AND COLD WATER IN ALL ROOMS 

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Manager 




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OPPOSITE WINDSOR HOTEL 
139-WI BALTIMORE. -STREET 



Jewelers 

Over a Half Century 
1851—1920 

S. T. LITTLE 

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97 Baltimore St„ 

Branch Store — 
Virginia, Ave., 
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THE UNITED 
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Everything for the 
Motorist 

N. Centre St., 
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A. M. LICHENSTINE, 

The REXALL Store 

Kodaks and Huylers' 
Candies 

61 Baltimore St., 
Cumberland, Md. 

Phones, 5 and 6 

Groceries and Notions 
And 

Fruits in Season 

L. E. LONG, 
Mailer Ave., 
Ridgeky, W. Va. 



CUMBERLAND LAUNDRY 
18 N. Mechanic St., 
Cumberland, Md. 



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19 N. Center St., 
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R. J. RADCLIFF 

General Merchandise, 
Fresh Fish and Oysters in 
Season 
Your Patronage Solicited 
Established, 1898 

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CHARLES W. STARK 

Druggist 

179 N. Centre St., 
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101 N. Centre St. 

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LUNCH 

The Oldest Restaurant 
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Contractor and Builder 

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The Store of Yesterday and 


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Bakers of 


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Proprietor 
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